Status
Legal status
Regulated Invasive Alien Species of Union concern under the European Regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species [1143/2014].
Native status
Non-native
First reported in the wild
Not present in Ireland or Northern Ireland
Invasiveness
Non-native species - Low risk of Impact
Irish status
Not Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Pet/aquarium species
Introduction pathways - 2
Transport Stowaway
Introduction pathways subclass - 2
Hitchhikers on ship/boat
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Common
myna (A. tristis) stands at a
height of 23-26 cm and has a wingspan of 12-14.2 cm (CABI, 2021). Its weight can range from 82-143 grams depending
on the individual (CABI, 2021). It has mostly brown plumage with a black head,
neck and upper breast (CABI, 2021). The head also contains an erectile crest (Invasive Species
Ireland, 2021). The legs, feet and bill are all yellow (Invasive Species
Ireland, 2021).There is no obvious sexual dimorphism (difference in appearance
between males and females) in this species thus; they cannot be separated in
the field (CABI, 2021).
A stand-out identification feature of this species
is the fact that the move along the ground by walking rather than hopping (Invasive Species
Ireland, 2021).
Diet
Common
myna is an omnivorous species that feeds on plant material such as fruits,
berries, nectar, and grains as well as animal material such as beetle larvae,
caterpillars, snails, worms and spiders (CABI, 2021). In addition, A. tristis can be seen feeding on roadkill, animal
feed and scavenging through rubbish (CABI, 2021). This wide feeding spectrum and opportunistic
nature may work to increase the ability of A. tristis to successfully
establish itself in new ecosystems, as food availability is less of an issue
compared to specialist feeders.
Ecology
Acridotheres tristis is native to Central Asia and Afghanistan but
their range is constantly expanding northwards where it has reached as far as
southern Russian states (Scalera et al.,
2017). Although a tropical species by nature, A. tristis is more than
capable of adapting to a variety of climates thus, increasing its effectiveness
as an invasive species (Scalera et al.,
2017).
A. tristis breeds all year round and can have multiple clutches over the course of the year (Scalera et al., 2017).
Economic - A. tristis has the potential to act as an agricultural pest that may feed on seeds and fruits should their normal food source (mostly insects) become less abundant (Scalera et al., 2017). Various crops such as maize, wheat, apples and tomatoes may be fed on by A. tristis (Scalera et al., 2017).
Social - Due to the fact that they roost communally, A. tristis can be quite unruly in large numbers, making significant amounts of noise and tarnishing the immediate area with droppings and other materials (Scalera et al., 2017).
Habitat
Within
their native range, A. tristis
can be found in a variety of habitats such as flood plains, grasslands, scrub,
cultivated land, plantations, desert oases and the base of various mountain
ranges (Scalera et al.,
2017).
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Predation, Disease transmission, Interaction with other invasive species, Other
Management approach
As
Common myna is listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union concern under the
EU Regulations of Invasive Alien Species, it cannot be imported, traded, or
released to the wild. Measures must also be taken to prevent spread of existing
populations of it (European Commission, 2017).
Preventative
One of
the most effective management approaches is to prevent this species from
becoming established in the first place, thus eliminating the need to take any
further action to combat the issue. Tackling the issue of transport and
subsequent release of A. tristis
is perhaps one of the most impactful management methods (CABI, 2021). This involves strict biosecurity protocols in
areas like border crossings all the way down to smaller scales such as
educating the public on the topic so that people keeping these animals as pets,
do not allow them to enter the natural environment (CABI, 2021).
Physical
Control
Where A. tristis populations have become
established, various measures can be implemented to actively attempt to control
the population. The implementation of foraging traps may be considered whereby A.
tristis is captured with various live trap designs and humanely euthanized
via carbon dioxide (Global Invasive
Species Database, 2011).
The shooting of A. tristis has been employed
as a management method in the past with mixed success. Although it undoubtedly
helps with initial control of the species, long term shooting as a management
method may not be as effective as the birds learn to avoid hunters over time(CABI, 2021).
Integrated
Pest Management
Integrated pest management (IMP) is a form of long
term pest management that will work to control an invasive pest over time
through a multifaceted approach such as habitat modification, recourse
limitation and public education (Global Invasive
Species Database, 2011). It can be looked at as the culmination of
multiple A. tristis targeting management methods in to one, more
impactful management approach that will work to greater effect than any single
management tool would.
Chemical
Control
This species has been chemically managed in the
past using 3-chloro-p-toluidine hydrochloride (DRC1339), a toxicant known as
Starlicide (Global Invasive Species Database, 2011; CABI, 2021). This toxin is
said to impair kidney function in A. tristis and is less toxic to
mammals, giving some form of selectivity to the approach and theoretically reducing
collateral damage (CABI, 2021). This may act as a last resort in very specific
scenarios as there seems to be potential for collateral damage to other species
and other environmental damage also.
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Species group
Vertebrate
Native region
Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia
Similar species
Acridotheres
tristis stands at about the same height
as the Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) however, A. tristis is
typically more brown in colouration with a greyish-brown hood (Scalera et al.,
2017).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
Report
any sightings of this species to the National Biodiversity Data Centre,
including a photograph, if possible.
If you
own one, do not allow it to reproduce or enter the natural environment. It is
illegal to set this species free in Ireland.
Do not
purchase this species as a pet.
Further information
CABI Invasive Species
Compendium: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/2994
Global
Invasive Species Database: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=108
References
Publications
CABI, 2021. Acridotheres tristis (common myna).
[online] Available at: <https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/2994>
[Accessed 24 Jun. 2021].
European Commission,
2017. Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. [online] Luxembourg.
Available at:
<https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/pdf/IAS_brochure_species.pdf>
[Accessed 25 Jun. 2021].
Global Invasive Species
Database, 2011. Acridotheres tristis. [online] Available at:
<http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=108> [Accessed 25 Jun.
2021].
Invasive Species
Ireland, 2021. Common myna. [online] Available at:
<http://invasivespeciesireland.com/species-accounts/potential/terrestrial/common-myna>
[Accessed 24 Jun. 2021].
Scalera, R., Rabitsch,
W., Genovesi, P., Adriaens, T., Robertson, P., Moore, N., Booy, O., Chamman, D.
and Kettunen, M., 2017. Study on Invasive Alien Species – Development of
risk assessments to tackle priority species and enhance prevention Contract No
07.0202/2016/740982/ETU/ENV.D2 Final Report Annex 1: Risk Assessment for
Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus 1766). [online] Available at:
<https://circabc.europa.eu/faces/jsp/extension/wai/navigation/container.jsp?FormPrincipal:_idcl=FormPrincipal:_id1&FormPrincipal_SUBMIT=1&id=5c5e6056-2888-4b2e-ae94-b501e25085a5&javax.faces.ViewState=6F3%2B%2B3sjbjGFWpk%2BcXxLjduSZPTcX5x9%2FvHuUGOcG0Yb879h>
[Accessed 24 Jun. 2021].