Pest birds at a glance
Australian White Ibis
(Threskiornis molucca)
Autralian Magpie
(Gymnorhina tibicen)
Rainbow Lorikeet
(Trichoglossus haematodus)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Cacatua galerita)
Torresian Crow
(Corvus orru)
Pest Bird Species of Australia
Australia is impacted by a very wide variety of exotic and native pest bird species. Some species congregate around retail, commercial, domestic and industrial situations, while others impact the horticultural and agricultural sectors. Correct identification is very important as some birds species are afforded protection status and cannot be killed (euthanaised or poisoned). Certain bird management systems are species-specific and may deter some species, but may not be suited to others. Never underestimate the commitment of pest birds to return to their home and nesting place.
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Feral Pigeon
Feral Pigeons
Other names
Rock dove
Scientific Name
Columba livia
Length
31-34cm
Weight
230-370g
Number of eggs
2
Nesting locations
Ledges, roof areas, gutters, and beams
Incubation Period
17-19 days
Fledging
25-28 days
Pest Status
Exotic pest bird
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Spikes, Shock, Wire, Eagle Eye
Description
The plumage of Feral Pigeons ranges from black, brown white, piebald, and light grey. The neck is glossy green and purple. The wings are grey except for the black wing tips and two distinct black wing bars.
Pigeons have totally adapted their lives to a human created urban environment. Nesting in small communities, pigeons often emerge from their nesting and roosting place to join a flock of hundreds of birds. They thus have a very heavy impact on suburban streetscapes, industrial sites, grain storage facilities, ports and food processing plants. Their impact on food safety is a critical issue and the food processing and services industry are reacting favourably to the need for control.
Common Myna
Common Myna
Other names
Indian myna
Scientific Name
Acridotheres tristis
Length
25-26cm
Weight
110-138g
Number of eggs
2-7
Nesting locations
Roof cavities, hollows or enclosed spaces
Incubation Period
17-18 days
Fledging
22-24 days
Pest Status
Exotic pest bird
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Shock and Myna Magnet Trap
Description
The Common Myna has a glossy black forehead, crown, nape and cheeks, with bristly feathers on the forehead. Its legs and bill are yellow. There is also a yellow ring around the eyes. Wings are black, with a white patch at the bottom.
Mynas compete strongly with native birds such as the crimson rosella (Pell and Tidemann, 1996). They nest in hollows and building cavities and are carriers of bird mites. In Hawaii the bird is known as a major means of spread of harmful weeds in particular Lantana (Pimentel et al, 2000). Originally introduced into Melbourne, the Common myna was redistributed to the Townsville area as a means of controlling grasshoppers and cane beetles. It is now listed on the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species (ISSG, 2004).
House Sparrow
House Sparrow
Other names
Common or European sparrow
Scientific Name
Passer domesticus
Length
14-15cm
Weight
24-39g
Number of eggs
3-5
Nesting location
Shrubbery, roof cavities, hollows or enclosed spaces
Incubation Period
11-14 days
Fledging
11-16 days
Pest Status
Exotic pest bird
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Shock, Sparrow Magnet Trap
Description
The male House Sparrow has a grey crown, chestnut brown nape, dark brown and black-streaked back, grey underparts and a black bib. The bigger the bib, the more dominant the male. The female is paler, and lacks a grey crown, black bib and chestnut brown nape.
Like starlings, the house sparrow has both a rural and urban impact, defacing buildings as well as spoiling fruit, vegetable, grain and oilseed crops (Long, 1981; Bomford, 1992). They may also assist in the spread of diseases such as salmonella and tuberculosis (Weber, 1979). They are aggressive and compete with native birds for nesting sites and food. Their prolific breeding and early sexual maturity means that a single pair of birds can multiply to become a problem flock in a short space of time.
Starling
Starling
Other names
Common or European starling
Scientific Name
Sturnus vulgaris
Length
22cm
Weight
75-90g
Number of eggs
3-8
Incubation Period
13-16 days
Fledging
18-21 days
Pest Status
Exotic pest bird
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Shock, Myna Magnet Trap
Description
The Starling’s plumage is mainly blackish with buff edge wing feathers. Juvenile Starlings have grey-brown plumage with large white speckles on the underparts and light-cream coloured throats. The Starling has the reputation of being one of the noisiest and most gregarious garden birds.
These are both an urban and rural pest, causing high levels of damage to fruit crops and winter-sown cereals (Bomford, 1992). They also compete with and displace native birds for nesting hollows (Agriculture Western Australia, 1998). They are comfortable nesting in roof and ceiling cavities and cause significant damage to roof sarking and insulation as well as create a significant mess and health issue when nesting in confined roof and cavity spaces.
Swallow
Swallow
Other names
Welcome swallow
Scientific Name
Hirundo neoxena
Length
17-19cm
Weight
16-25g
Number of eggs
2-3
Incubation Period
14-21 days
Fledging
18-20 days
Pest Status
Native species – protected
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Shock, Eagle Eye (with lights)
Description
Swallows are small birds with dark glossy blue backs, red throats, pale underparts and long distinctive tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight Swallows will nest one to two times per year and return to the same location for each season.
Australian Raven
Australian raven
Other names
Scientific Name
Corvus coronoides
Similar Species
Torresian Crow Corvus orru
Length
45-47cm
Weight
370-650g
Nesting locations
High in trees – 10-30 meters
Number of eggs
4-7
Incubation Period
18-20 days
Fledging
28-35 days
Pest Status
Native species – protected
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Spikes, Shock, Wire, Eagle Eye
Description
The Australian raven is a large black crow with neatly feathered thighs, and feathers around the base of the beak. This species is very intelligent bird and can be difficult to deter in most situations. While at first appearance its plumage is black, on closer inspection it has a green and purple iridescence. The tail is square in flight
Silver Gull
Silver gull
Other names
Sea gull
Scientific Name
Larus novaehollandiae
Length
40-45cm
Weight
260-350g
Nesting location
Roof areas (Victoria), coastal, grassy and waste areas
Number of eggs
1-3
Incubation Period
21-27 days
Fledging
35-37 days
Pest Status
Native species – protected
Product suggestions
AVEPRO Net, Spikes, Shock, Wire, Eagle Eye
Description
The Silver gull has become a significant problem in southern Australia where they nest of roofs of warehouses, factories, port areas and office blocks. Congregating on metal roofs may reduce the life of the roof by up to 50%. Silver gulls also impact coastal areas and waste disposal areas.
The primary gull in Australia is the silver gull (Larus novaehollandiae), a significantly smaller species than the dominant pest gull species in north America or western Europe (the pacific gull). Traditionally restricted in range to coastal areas, the silver gull now inhabits inland, rural and regional towns. The silver gull inhabits and nests in the waste management facilities of many townships throughout coastal and inland Australia.