TO CULL OR NOT TO CULL: UNE STUDY LOOKING AT MINER BIRD POPULATIONS

A new University of New England study is weighing up the options of culling the native noisy miner bird.

Not to be mistaken with the introduced Indian myna species, the Australian species pose a threat to other natives like fairy wrens and regent honeyeaters.

UNE professor, Dr Paul McDonald, is working with 45 different land managers the country’s east to study whether culls will have any benefits.

It’s currently illegal unless absolutely necessary.