Israel’s urban landscape has changed dramatically in recent decades, and one of its most visible newcomers is the common myna, a noisy South Asian bird that has become a fixture in parks, gardens and city streets. The bird, Acridotheres tristis, belongs to the starling family and measures about 23 to 26 centimeters. It has a brown body, a black head and yellow bare skin around the eyes. It is an omnivore, eating insects, fruit, seeds and even human food scraps, which helps it thrive near people.
The myna arrived in Israel in the 1990s, likely after a few birds escaped or were released from captivity. From there, it spread quickly from the center of the country and established dense, stable populations. Its success has come at a cost, because it is formally classified as an invasive species, meaning a human-introduced animal that causes damage in its new environment.
According to the article, mynas compete aggressively for nesting holes, taking over both natural and artificial sites and pushing out local species. They are known for forceful behavior toward other birds and sometimes toward pets and people near their nests. Studies in Israel found that where myna densities are high, breeding success declines for local songbirds such as sparrows, bulbuls, woodpeckers and great tits.
Researchers also value the species for its intelligence. Like corvids, mynas can recognize individual human faces, distinguish between people, and learn quickly who may offer food and who poses a threat. That allows them to approach some residents confidently while keeping away from others. By nesting in window shutters, light poles and building cracks, and by eating whatever is available, the bird has become a permanent urban resident. Scientists and ecologists are still looking for ways to reduce its harm to local wildlife.
