Order Passeriformes Higher classification Manorina | Phylum Chordata Family Meliphagidae Scientific name Manorina melanotis Rank Species | |
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Similar Bird, Honeyeater, Manorina, Yellow‑throated miner, Rotuma myzomela | ||
The black-eared miner (Manorina melanotis) is an endangered honeyeater endemic to mallee woodland in south-eastern Australia.
Contents
Taxonomy
It is closely related to the much more widely distributed yellow-throated miner M. flavigula and the taxonomic status of the black-eared miner is the subject of some controversy, with some researchers considering it a subspecies of M. flavigula.
Behaviour
Black-eared miners are co-operative breeders, living in colonies during the breeding season, and dispersing into the bush during non-breeding periods. Little is known of their movements during these periods.
Distribution and habitat
Sites identified by BirdLife International as being important for black-eared miner conservation are areas containing relatively intact mallee woodland in north-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. They comprise Murray-Sunset, Hattah and Annuello, the Riverland Mallee, and Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat.
Conservation status
Black-eared miners are listed as endangered on the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The species' conservation status in the following Australian states follows:
