Occurrence and Habitat Association of the Indian Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) in Small Urban Centre in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Aims: This study examined the occurrence and habitat association of the invasive Indian Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) in Gokwe Town, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. Study Design:  Systematic transect surveys were conducted across major urban land-use zones. Place and Duration of Study: Study done in Gokwe Town (11, 200km2) in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe with a human population of 33,075. The surveys were conducted from June to September 2025. Methodology: Systematic transect surveys were conducted along transects measuring 900 m in length and 50 m in width across major land-use zones (high-density, medium-density, low-density residential area, the Central Business District and along the major highway corridor) and all the observations were recorded using Kobo Collect Toolbox with GPS integration. Nonparametric test were conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 because the sample size was small and data did not conform to normal distribution. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) heatmap visualisation was done in QGIS Version 3.42.1. Results: A total of 81 observations were made and pairs of individuals (67.9%) dominated sightings across all times of day. The distribution of A. tristis was significantly associated with land-use type (χ² = 259.571, P = 0.01), with the species most frequently observed in open grounds, shopping areas, factories, and service businesses zones characterized by high human activity. Roosting-site selection showed no significant association with canopy cover type, despite a tendency toward dense canopy areas. Limitations of the Study: The study was limited to a single small urban town and did not consider long term seasonal variation in abundance and habitat use behaviour. Conclusion: Overall, the study demonstrates A. tristis strong adaptability to human-modified environments and highlights critical spatial and behavioral patterns relevant for invasive species management in urban centres as well as implications for protected areas adjacent to urban areas.