Earlier today, wildlife photographer and the manager of SPNL’s Hima Hammana Raptor Observatory, Chadi Saad, captured a striking image of a Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) at the Beirut Waterfront, perched comfortably amid the bustle of the city. It’s a moment of natural beauty, but also a silent reminder of the complex, and at times harmful, relationship between humans and non-native species.
From Pet to Problem
The Common Myna, originally native to South Asia, is known for its intelligence, adaptability, and striking vocal abilities. It has long been admired for its capacity to mimic human speech, form logical responses, and adapt to human-dominated environments. This popularity has made it a regular feature in the bird trade, and it’s regularly on sale in Lebanese bird markets, imported from Asia.
Yet its appeal as a pet has contributed to a much larger ecological issue. According to Ghassan and Mona Ramadan-Jaradi (2012), many non-native bird species in Lebanon, including the Myna, became established in the wild due to escapes from cages or intentional releases — often without proper scientific understanding or foresight.
Settling in Lebanon: Five Colonies and Counting
The Common Myna is no longer just a visitor — it has settled into the Lebanese landscape. A localized resident population has formed, nesting in tree cavities and behind air-conditioning units in buildings. Five main colonies have been documented, and their origin points to escaped captive birds:
- 1999: First colony established in the Pine Forest of Beirut (Bara, 2002)
- 2003: Second colony at the American University of Beirut (AUB) campus
- 2006: Third colony in Beirut Central District
- 2007: Fourth colony near the Beirut National Museum
- 2007: Fifth colony in Tripoli city (Ramadan-Jaradi et al., 2008)
These colonies are steadily increasing in number, with at least 200 individuals now regularly observed, particularly concentrated in the Pine Forest of Beirut. Once a rarity, the Myna has now become a fixture of Lebanon’s urban wildlife.
A Threat to Biodiversity
Classified in 2000 by the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group as one of the world’s most invasive bird species, the Common Myna is more than just a noisy neighbor. Its aggressive behavior toward other birds — including attacking and displacing native species — is well-documented. It competes fiercely for food and nesting space, and its ability to reproduce rapidly makes containment incredibly difficult.
As Ramadan-Jaradi et al. point out, some exotic bird species may cause severe damage to the ecosystems they invade. In the case of the Myna, the impact is becoming increasingly visible in urban and peri-urban habitats. Its spread into higher elevations, now reaching up to 700–800 meters, further demonstrates its ecological flexibility and long-term risk.
A Symbol of Illogical Interference
The story of the Common Myna in Lebanon is a clear example of illogical human interference in nature — one that bypasses ecological science in favor of short-term fascination. The widespread release and trade of exotic species, without assessment of their ecological risks, has led to a situation where biodiversity is being silently reshaped by human choices.
And yet, Lebanon currently lacks a coherent national strategy to deal with the spread of non-native bird species, despite the recommendations in Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi (2012) for comprehensive monitoring, regulation of bird trade, and public education.
A Photo That Speaks Volumes
Chadi Saad’s photograph of the Myna at Beirut’s Waterfront doesn’t just capture a bird — it captures a living chapter in Lebanon’s evolving ecological narrative. The Myna, perched confidently in the city, is both a marvel of adaptation and a warning sign of an ecosystem under strain.
As we move forward, Lebanon must ask itself: Will we continue to let our fascination with the exotic reshape our natural world unchecked? Or will we finally heed the signs and embrace a more responsible, science-based approach to protecting our ecosystems?
