News that a South Pacific island is aiming to eliminate the introduced Common Myna …
Early last century, the myna was introduced to Atiu Island in Cook Islands as a way of controlling insects and other pests in crops and gardens.
But within a few short years, its aggressive behaviour destroyed the local bird populations.
In 2000, the myna was declared to be among the world’s 100 worst invasive species …
By the end of 2012, over 20,000 mynas had been killed, and in their latest update, it was estimated there may be just 62 adult birds left on the island.
62 is enough to reestablish the population so there is a way to go but Common Mynas do have the obliging habit of roosting communally in the non-breeding season.
bobmcgee 