Noisy Miners: variations on the theme of communality

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Abstract
Study species The Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala, is one of the larger members of the Meliphagidae, the honeyeaters, which comprise about 160 species endemic to Australia, New Zealand, and the south-west Pacific region (Walters 1980). Of about 66 Australian meliphagids (Schodde et al. 1978), four are in the genus Manorina. The Yellow-throated Miner, M. flavigula, is most widespread and typical of the country's dry interior. Its range extends to the west coast. The Bell Miner, M. melanophrys, is found east of the Great Dividing Range, where it inhabits eucalypt forest and woodland with heavy undergrowth. In the south-east, it may live in gardens. The endangered Black-eared Miner, M. melanotis, is restricted to remnants of the mallee districts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. The Noisy Miner ranges from tropical Queensland (16° S) over 3000 km south into temperate Tasmania (43° S), and from the coastal lowlands west across the Great Dividing Range, penetrating inland in places as much as 800 km. Its traditional habitat was probably dry sclerophyll forest and woodland but it has also successfully colonized, and now flourishes in, suburban gardens and city parks. The Noisy Miner, averaging 60 g, is strikingly marked and not easily confused with any other species. Black crown and cheeks contrast sharply with a patch of naked yellow skin behind the eye.

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