Myna

The genus Acridotheres, commonly known as mynas, belongs to the order Passeriformes and the family Sturnidae. These birds are recognized globally as highly invasive species, characterized by their remarkable ability to colonize new environments, thrive in human-modified landscapes, and disrupt local agricultural ecosystems.

Mynas cause significant economic losses by damaging a wide range of horticultural crops. Their diet frequently includes commercial fruits such as grapes, cherries, apples, and various berries. In addition to fruit consumption, they can cause damage to cereal crops by foraging on newly sown seeds or mature grain heads in agricultural fields.

The biology of the myna is marked by high reproductive efficiency and aggressive competitive behavior. By nesting in human structures and utilizing diverse food sources, they maintain high population densities. Their ability to rapidly expand their range makes them a persistent threat to stable farming operations across various regions.

The severity of the damage is attributed to their flock-based foraging habits. They do not only consume whole fruits but also puncture the skin of ripening produce, which leads to rapid spoilage and secondary infections from pests and diseases. This causes a drastic decline in both the quantity and market quality of the harvest.

Effective management requires an integrated approach to mitigate bird impact. Key protection strategies include:

• deploying physical netting to cover high-value crops like vineyards and orchards
• using bioacoustic systems that broadcast distress calls to deter flocks
• installing visual deterrents such as reflective tapes or predator decoys
• managing local habitat by blocking nesting sites in agricultural buildings