Commuter train passengers in Sydney experienced an unusual sight when two Indian Myna birds boarded a carriage at Roseville station and traveled several stops before exiting. According to radio producer Jackie Dent, who documented the incident on Instagram, the birds calmly occupied the backs of seats on the upper deck without showing any signs of distress.
Regular Train Commuters in Northern Sydney
The incident occurred on a Sunday morning when Dent boarded a train on Sydney’s North Shore line. As she prepared to leave the train at Chatswood station, a train guard informed her that the birds were not trapped, according to Dent’s account. Instead, the guard explained that the pair regularly used the public transit system to travel between Lindfield and Artarmon, a journey lasting between seven and ten minutes.
Observers noted that the birds appear to recognize their destination by listening to automated speaker announcements or watching light signals along the route. Video footage of the journey shared on social media has accumulated more than 4.7 million views, prompting similar anecdotes from other transit workers and passengers across Australia.
Behavioral Biology and Urban Adaptability
Ann Göth, a behavioral biologist in Sydney and author of Wild Neighbours – Urban Nature Up Close, stated that while scientific literature includes instances of Indian Mynas briefly hopping into open doors to scavenge for food, documented cases of them remaining onboard for entire journeys are rare. Göth noted that urban wildlife often demonstrates high levels of adaptability and problem-solving skills, such as accurately judging vehicle speeds or learning to avoid hazards based on the experiences of other flock members.
The Indian Myna, scientifically known as Acridotheres tristis, was originally introduced to Melbourne in 1862 to control agricultural pests such as locusts. While the species has established widespread populations across Australia, Sean Dooley of BirdLife Australia noted that conservationists frequently track the birds due to their tendency to displace native hollow-nesting species.
Global Distribution and Population Expansion
Outside of Australia, Indian Mynas have established stable populations in parts of southern Europe following escapes from captivity and private collections. Wildlife experts indicate that milder winters driven by climate change could potentially allow the adaptable species to expand its range further into central and northern Europe.
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