Aggressive Behavior and Disease Transmission… Expanded Government Action in Egypt to Contain the Invasive Myna Bird

The Egyptian environment is facing a growing environmental challenge with the gradual spread of the “Indian Myna” (or Common Myna), an invasive and opportunistic bird species that was first recorded in the Sinai Peninsula in 1999.

Thanks to its high adaptability and rapid reproduction, the bird has expanded over the years to reach Greater Cairo, the Delta governorates, the Canal cities, and some areas of Upper Egypt.

This rapid expansion prompted the International Union for Conservation of Nature to officially classify it among the world’s 100 worst invasive species, according to Maat Group, due to the direct and comprehensive threat it poses to the environmental and economic systems of the areas it inhabits.

The economic and environmental damage caused by this bird includes widespread destruction of infrastructure and vital and tourism facilities.

Moreover, this bird is characterized by highly aggressive and territorial behavior; a pair can occupy an area of up to two feddans, driving away local birds and preventing them from inhabiting the area, which has led to a decline in their numbers and a disruption of the overall ecological balance. In addition, it is an opportunistic bird that eats almost anything, causing severe losses to agricultural crops and fish resources, and is considered a dangerous carrier of diseases and epidemics shared between humans and animals.

In the face of these multiple risks, the state’s official authorities have taken serious steps to address this crisis. The Egyptian Ministries of Local Development and Environment continue to implement extensive scientific programs to monitor and track the Indian Myna bird and limit its spread across various governorates.

These intensive measures come as part of government efforts aimed at reducing the impact of introduced and invasive birds on native species, ensuring the protection and conservation of ecological balance, and safeguarding agricultural and service sectors from the ongoing destruction caused by the spread of this bird.