DIY: Myna Bird Trap

The Indian myna was introduced into Australia from Asia in order to control insects. These belligerent little birds have subsequently become a real threat to local bird species, not only in rural areas, but in suburbs and cities as well. This pest species, which evicts birds and small animals from their nests, is an opportunistic feeder, taking stock food in rural areas and scavenging around schools and shopping centers in residential and business areas. The Indian myna congregates in huge groups and cleanup operations to remove their droppings are costly and time consuming. Although commercial traps are readily available, many folk prefer to make their own.

Things You'll Need

  • Bottomless wire cage, 1.5-foot square, including a flap door of six square inches
  • Bottomless wire cage, 2.5-foot square, including a flap door of six square inches
  • Small roll of aviary wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Metal aviary clips
  • Metal aviary clip pliers
  • Metal tent pegs
  • Two pieces of soft wire, 3 inches long
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 1-foot-square piece of aviary wire from the roll.

    • 2

      Bend the mesh into a gentle U-shape. Use the wire cutters to trim away along the length of the shape, until you are left with a shape that resembles a funnel that has been cut in half, lengthwise. When placed on a flat surface, one end will have a large mouth and the opposite end will have a much smaller mouth.

    • 3

      Repeat with a second 1-foot-square piece of wire.

    • 4

      Cut a 4-inch square piece of wire out of one side of the 1.5-foot square wire cage.

    • 5

      Place the 1.5-foot-square cage next to and touching the 2.5-foot-square cage. Cut out a piece of wire on the 2.5-foot-square cage, identical in size and position, to the hole in the 1.5-foot-square cage. The mynas will move through this opening, from the smaller, into the larger cage.

    • 6

      Attach the first U-shaped tunnel in a vertical position over the hole, on the inside of and against the 2.5-foot-square cage. Position the tunnel with the wide mouth pointing toward the ground. Secure with metal aviary clips. Secure a small piece of wire mesh over the wide mouth to seal it. Once the mynas climb through the hole between the two cages, they find themselves in the tunnel and have to climb upward, until they escape into the large cage.

    • 7

      Place the 2.5-foot-square cage onto a level grassy area and secure to the ground, using the tent pegs.

    • 8

      Place the 1.5-foot-square cage next to the 2.5-foot-square cage, so that the holes in each cage form a doorway, through which the mynas can move from the smaller into the larger cage. Secure this smaller cage to the larger cage with aviary clips. Secure the smaller cage to the ground with tent pegs.

    • 9

      Place the second tunnel against the 1.5-foot-square cage, with the narrow end touching the cage.

    • 10

      Use the wire cutters to cut another hole in the cage, where the tunnel touches it. Cut the hole to match the mouth of the tunnel in size and shape. Secure the tunnel to the cage, using aviary clips.

    • 11

      Bait the smaller cage and secure the preinstalled flap doors in both cages with a piece of wire.

    • 12

      After the birds enter the first cage to feed, they find it difficult to leave, but discover the wide-mouthed tunnel leading into the second cage. Once in this second cage, they remain trapped, until removed.