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Simon Farley

Simon Farley

The Conversation

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From ‘gentle’ and ‘graceful’ to the ‘cane toad of the sky’: how Australia turned on the common myna

Australians now loathe the common myna. But the bird was introduced for a reason – and was often liked and admired for most of its 164 years here.

23.10.2026 20

The Conversation

Simon Farley

Over 40 years ago, a mystery vigilante released a fungus to control blackberry in Australia. But why?

Blackberries have long been a problem for Australian farmers and bushwalkers. But who would have illegally released a fungus as a biological control?

13.10.2026 20

The Conversation

Simon Farley

Can a bird be an illegal immigrant? How the White Australia era influenced attitudes to the bulbul

South Australian authorities are again on the hunt for the elusive red-whiskered bulbul. Does the xenophobia of the past still influence our attitudes...

05.02.2026 20

The Conversation

Simon Farley