Current M.Sc. Work
The Common Myna
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The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a bird in the family Sturnidea (starlings). It has been introduced to many countries outside its native range, and is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world. It is known to out-compete and predate on native species, and can also alter natural systems through synergistic interactions with other invaders.
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The common myna invaded Israel 25 years ago, expanding from the center of the country, and has been shown to negatively affect local species. While found throughout Israel, the desert regions are still considered as the frontier of its invasion.
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The main goal of my research is to learn about the myna's patterns of habitat use in the Sede Boqer area. I plan to track myna movement using a system called ATLAS (Advanced tracking and Localization of Animals in real-life Systems). ATLAS can provide extremely detailed movement information on dozens of individuals simultaneously in real time, and is currently used to track Arabian babblers (Argya squamiceps). Consequently, attaching ATLAS tags to mynas will hopefully enable me to better understand the links between behavior and habitat-use of this invasive species in a complex desert environment.
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I plan to characterize the mynas' use of natural and disturbed habitats in the Sede Boqer area, and the extant of their movement between different habitats. I will also try to assess the importance of human-made food resources (both in villages and in natural habitats) as attractors and potential stepping stones for mynas
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To accomplish this, I will trap 50-100 individuals in the area using dedicated myna traps and tag them with ATLAS tags. I will then monitor the detailed movement patterns of the tagged individuals in the region for the duration of tag’s battery life (2-3 months). This information can help me gain a detailed knowledge of mynas’ behavior and potential effects in its invaded environment.
Tristram's Starling
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The Tristram's starling (Onychognathus tristramii) is another member of the starling family. Unlike the common myna, it is native to the desert regions of Israel. Nevertheless, it has expanded its range following the establishment of new human settlements in the region. Similar to the common myna, it is an omnivore, feeding on fruits, arthropods, and garbage. Both species are also highly social birds.
Because of these similarities in their niches, competition between common mynas and Tristram's starlings can be expected. In my work, I will try to test this assumption by trapping starlings in the Sede Boqer area and tracking them with ATLAS tags to compare their habitat use to that of the mynas.
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