Why are some bird species considered a pest? Pest birds will compete with native birds by taking their food and displacing them from their habitats. They are responsible for the spread of disease and weeds, making noise and mess, spreading parasitic bird mite as a result of their nesting material. Some onmnivorous feeders are scavengers. INTERESTING FACTS: did you know that the Indian Myna was introduced Introduced into Melbourne 1863, Northern QLD 1883 to control Locusts and Cane Beetles. Some of the common pest birds
Family Name - Columbidau Scientific Name - Columba livia Status – Introduced, Not Protected Average Size – 34cm Average lifespan 3-4 years Clutch Size - 2 Incubation - 17-19 days Fledgling – 30 days Background – Introduced from Europe. Breeding - Monogamous pairs. • Breed year round, but mostly in Summer • Can produce 15 young per year Impacts - Spread of disease • Noise and mess • Will compete with Native birds for food. Feeding – Primarily seed
Family Name - Sturnidae Scientific Name - Acridotheres tristis Status – Introduced, Not protected Average Size – 24cm Average 4 year lifespan Clutch Size - 4-6 Incubation - 13-14 days Fledgling – 20-32 days Breeding - Monogamous pairs • 1-3 broods per year Impacts - Displace native birds from natural habitats • Damage fruit crops • Noise • Mites from nests • Spread of weeds Feeding – Omnivorous
Family Name - Sturnidae Scientific Name - Sturnus vulgaris Status – Introduced, Not protected Average year lifespan 2-3 years Clutch Size - 3-5 Incubation - 15 days Fledgling –20 -23 days Breeding – August to January • Monogamous pairs • 2-3 Broods per year Background – Introduced from Europe 1850’s Impacts - Fruit crops • Disease • Damage to infrastructure • Spread of weeds Feeding – Insects
Family Name - Passeridae Scientific Name - Passer Domesticus Status - Introduced, Not protected. Average Size – 15cm Average 3-4 year lifespan Clutch Size - 3-6 Incubation - 14 days Fledgling – 15 days Breeding – Summer & Spring will mate year round. • Monogamous pairs • 3 broods per year Background – Introduced from Europe into Melbourne 1863-1870 Impacts – Nuisance Feeding – Seeds, also Insects
Austrapest and Kevmac together have been established in the Sydney Metropolitan since 1949, providing excellence in pest services.