We have many different birds visiting our garden, a dozen or more species from various parrots to pigeons magpies and noisy crows. Our front veranda hosts the occasional hand feeding frenzy of a dozen or so rainbow lorikeets.
Recently a pair of Indian Myna's took up residence in the eaves of our back shed. Having heard many derogatory yarns about these creatures I was loath for them to stay, Rosemary's maternal instincts favoured the birds to stay.
For such an allegedly harsh climate, Australia is remarkably welcoming to introduced species. The rabbit and the cane toad both thrive here and so do too does the Indian Myna, in fact the Myna may be the most successful of them all.
They are a menace to native birds and our local ecology, so people have lately taken matters in their own hands, trapping and killing thousands of these sky vermin. Problem is, the method of eradication used is considered by some to be cruel,
Considering our ecology is under threat, we are less inclined to worry about some slight pain suffered by myna's when they go to the big nest in the sky. that being said, research should continue into a kinder way of removing feathered trash.
The saga continues: Well it came to pass that the myna residents in the eaves of our shed begat a brace of minor mynas, sad to say(or possibly not) one of these was found expired on the garden footpath, Rosemary after handling this little mite unwittingly acquired a few of its lodgers prior to binning it in a plastic bag. Myself unaware of this caught its sibling which could not fly (no tail feathers), However,the big decision to dunk it in a pail of water arrived upon seeing an army of weeny crawlies covering the bird( Little wonder it couldn't fly with so many passengers). After awhile I began to itch all over. stripping down in the laundry I bathed with Dettol then showered, it seems we both copped it it has taken over a week for the bite marks to go.
So there you have it in true gospel. Those horrible creatures have to go.