Some introduced avian ‘pests’

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees is in the middle of its autumn bird surveys for 2024. This might be the time to investigate the history and habits of some of our introduced bird species we call ‘ferals’.

In the mid nineteenth century in Australia and New Zealand acclimatisation societies were established to introduce exotic animals and plants. The much-vaunted Ferdinand von Meuller, Victoria’s first government botanist, was alone responsible for ‘distributing’ thousands of introduced plants and seeds! In its short life of just 11 years from 1861 to 1872, the Victorian Acclimatisation Society played a devastating role in this state’s ecology.

SPARROW

The very cosmopolitan House Sparrow was introduced to Victoria in the late 1860s. This little bird thrives wherever there is human habitation – farms, granaries, school yards, town squares, etc. It is a very sociable and gregarious species. The House Sparrow competes with native birds for food and nesting sites. Many references suggest the sparrow is host to a large number of parasites and diseases.

STARLING

The scientific name Sturnus vulgaris is very appropriate for this boisterous and aggressive introduced bird. Starlings are native to northern Europe where they are a migratory species. Here, they seem to have lost the need to migrate and might perform some seasonal local movements only. Their preference for cavities in buildings and trees for their nesting sites is perhaps their worst feature. Starlings quickly drive away native birds that are hollow-dependent for their breeding regimes. They were introduced in the vain hope of keeping pest insects under control. English starlings were introduced in the eastern states from 1863 onwards.

MYNA

Mynas and starlings are related – they belong to the Sturnidae family. The Common Myna was introduced to Melbourne in circa 1860 to help control caterpillars in market gardens. They were only partly successful and soon spread to other areas as well as being ‘shipped’ to north Queensland to control pests in sugar cane. Mynas seldom occupy places with dense vegetation, preferring open areas of parklands, streets, back yards, etc. In 2000, the Common Myna was listed among 100 of the world’s worst invasive species by the World Conservation Union. A nation-wide survey in Australia in 2005 placed the myna at number one pest – ahead of the Cane Toad, rabbit, feral cat, etc. Like starlings, mynas aggressively defend their territories and nesting sites, driving off native birds.

DOVE

The Spotted Dove was introduced in Melbourne in the 1860’s principally for aesthetic reasons. Their native range is the Indian sub-continent and south-east Asia. Some references suggest the Spotted Dove is not a pest to the degree of others in this list. It is believed to have displaced the native Peaceful Dove in some districts but now itself is considered to be ‘under pressure’ from the native Crested Pigeon which seems to be expanding its range. When they drink they only need to place their bill in water. They sort of inhale the water, using their bill like a straw. Other birds need to lift their heads after they take a drink so they can swallow water, but not doves and pigeons.

BLACKBIRD

Pioneers to Victoria found the birdsong of the native species unfamiliar and alien. Wealthy early settlers regarded blackbirds to be a worthy addition to their European-style gardens, principally for their song. The bird quickly spread throughout the state. Even today it is pretty much the most abundant bird in Melbourne and although mainly found in urban areas it is not unusual to see blackbirds in native bushland settings these days. The Common Blackbird is thought to be the principal vector for the spread of the invasive species Sweet Pittosporum.

GOLDFINCH

The European Goldfinch is a small bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. In Victoria it was introduced in several locations in the late nineteenth century. Apparently, many of these introductions failed, but now the bird is well established, particularly in ‘wasteland’ areas on urban edges. Overseas, the bird is often called the Thistle Bird because of its preference for the seeds of the thistle plant. Goldfinches like to line their nests with mosses, lichens and plant down from thistles.