The New Zealand Transport Agency released the bird’s fly-by footage from a camera near Auckland, saying it needs to “myna” its own business.
An irritable-looking myna bird has soared to internet fame after landing right in front of a highway traffic camera in New Zealand.
The striking black-and-yellow bird gazes curiously into the lens of the camera, which overlooks a stretch of road near Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. With its beak wide open, it appears to squawk loudly before taking off, only to return for a few more moments of fame.
The New Zealand Transport Agency, which manages the cameras, shared the amusing video on Facebook on October 21, playfully remarking that the bird “needs to myna its own business.”
The agency noted that the myna is considered a pest in New Zealand, as it is aggressive towards native birds, destroys their nests, consumes native fruits, and encroaches on other birds’ territories. Thus, this uninvited appearance on their cameras was not exactly welcomed.
Myna birds, known for their ability to mimic human speech and commonly kept as pets, are originally from Asia. They were first introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s, and by the mid-20th century, they had spread across the North Island, disrupting local ecosystems and earning their status as an invasive species.
The agency cautioned, “An unexpected myna like this can obscure visibility on the roads.” Fortunately, the feisty bird didn’t linger long, and soon the camera’s “bird’s eye view” of the road was restored.