You are here

Home ›

Noisy Miner

Did you know?

Despite their moderate size, Noisy Miners aggressively attack larger birds such as hawks and kookaburras. These attacks may be so vigorous that most other birds are excluded from an area occupied by Noisy Miners.

Calls
A loud 'pwee pwee pwee' and a piping 'pee pee pee' when alarmed
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
Yes
Minimum Size: 
24cm
Maximum Size: 
29cm
Average size: 
26cm
Average weight: 
59g
Breeding season: 
July to December
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Not present
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Manorina melanocephala
Featured bird groups: 
Birds behaving badly
Honeyeaters
Survey species
Top 40 Bird Songs
Atlas Number: 
634
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Noisy Miner is a bold and curious bird. It is identified by its mostly grey body and black crown and cheeks. The bill is yellow, as are the legs and the naked skin behind the eye. The name is well suited as the common calls are uttered repeatedly by the members of the colony.

Similar species: 

The similar Yellow-throated Miner, Manorina flavigula, has a grey crown, white rump, and a line of bare yellow skin on the sides of the throat. People often confuse miners with the introduced Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis. The Common Myna is quite different in plumage (mostly dark brown) and, although it has similar facial markings, belongs to the starling family, while the miners are honeyeaters.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

Noisy Miners range from northern Queensland along the eastern coast to South Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat: 

Noisy Miners are found in woodlands and open forests. They have also become well adapted to suburban situations and are a common sight in parks and gardens.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Noisy Miner feeds on nectar, fruits and insects. Very occasionally they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Food is either taken from trees or on the ground. In keeping with its highly social nature, the Noisy Miner usually feeds in large groups.

Breeding: 

Noisy Miners breed in small to large colonies and several broods may be reared during a single season. The female constructs the nest and incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes will care for and feed the young birds. Additional 'helpers' usually also feed the young. Interestingly, these helpers are almost always male birds.

References: 
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 5 {(Tyrant-flycatchers} to Chats).
The Honeyeaters and their Allies of Australia
  • Share/Save
 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube