Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Manorina melanotis
Gazetted date:
04 Dec 2009
Profile last updated:
05 Oct 2023
Description
The Black-eared Miner is a large honeyeater (23 - 26 centimetres) that is dark grey above, paler below, with a prominent black facial mask and orange-yellow bill and legs. The species is most similar in appearance to the Yellow-throated Miner but can be distinguished readily in the field by its much darker rump, lack of pale terminal band on the tail and a greater contrast between the colour of the feathering on the lower jaw and throat. In areas of contact between the two species, hybrids exhibit various features intermediate to both species. In the past there has been debate over whether the Black-eared Miner is a full species or a race (or variant) of the Yellow-throated Miner, though recent morphometric and genetic studies indicate that it is a full species. Recent contact (and hybridisation) with Yellow-throated Miners is due to human impacts on the mallee habitat that the Black-eared Miner is reliant upon.
Distribution
The Black-eared Miner is restricted to the Murray Mallee region, with the largest populations in the Riverland (formerly Bookmark) Biosphere Reserve north of the Murray River in South Australia. Smaller populations occur in north western Victoria, with the largest numbers remaining in the Murray Sunset NP. In NSW, it is restricted to old growth mallee in the Scotia region, particularly within Scotia Sanctuary. Prior to European settlement, the species may have been present in suitable mallee habitat throughout south-west NSW (as far east as Euston).
Habitat and ecology
- Birds are restricted to large tracts (30,000 hectares or greater) of mature, unfragmented mallee on the more fertile soils.
- Occupies vegetation with a post fire age of greater than 25 years, but is most abundant in areas with a post fire age of 50 years or more.
- Their diet consists of arthropods (including grasshoppers, bugs, lerps, beetles, weevils, flies, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants, and spiders) obtained by gleaning and probing loose and hanging bark of mallee trunks. The diet also includes nectar, pollen, plant material, seeds and fruit.
- They breed communally in groups of between eight and 40 birds and use a cup-shaped nest constructed from grasses and sticks within mallee eucalypts located in a fork or mistletoe clump. Breeding appears to be opportunistic and may occur whenever conditions are suitable, but is most often recorded between September and December.
- Groups persist throughout the year, though may feed in smaller groups or singly. Much shyer than other species of miners, feeding quietly and mainly calling only in the breeding season. Will sometimes approach observers briefly but usually flies away from observers and difficult to view.
- Hybrids can be difficult to separate in the field, and ‘pure’ Black-eared Miners may only be identifiable after the bird is captured.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of habitat as a result of clearing has led to a decline in species distribution and abundance and has allowed encroachment by the closely-related Yellow-throated Miner. This species prefers more open habitats and contact between the two species has led to hybridisation.
- Fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of the habitat has reduced genetic variability and reproductive opportunities and has increased genetic isolation and the potential for significant impacts arising from stochatic events such as drought or fire.
- Degradation of the habitat, as a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, has resulted in changes to the physical nature of the habitat, for example change in diversity and structure of floristics or invertebrates. Changes to the habitat may result in it being unsuitable for the species or may increase other threatening processes such as predation.
- Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals, and inappropriate fire regimes may cause long-term changes to physical features such as floristic structure or leaf litter, which is unfavourable to sustaining a viable population of the species.
- Anthropogenic climate change is a long term significant threat as it will alter physical characteristics of the habitat such that it is no longer able to sustain a viable population.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Manage fire regimes of large, old mallee stands or stands reaching maturity, so as to maximise available habitat.
- Maintain all remaining large tracts of mature (>25 yrs), unfragmented mallee but also maintain younger stands so that they mature into old growth mallee.
- Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or nest sites.
- Retention of understorey shrubs continuing their complete life cycle.
- Investigate possibility of translocating this species from known colonies in South Australia. If this is undertaken it should consider the impacts on the source population and the management requirements, such as habitat suitability and interactions with Yellow-throated Miners (and associated management actions) at the translocation site.
Information sources
- Baker-Gabb, D. (2003) Recovery Plan for the Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis 2002 - 2006: Conservation of old-growth dependent mallee fauna. Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide - Prepared for the National Black-eared Miner Recovery Team.
- Baker-Gabb, D. (2007) The Black-eared Miner. A Decade of Recovery. The Black-eared Miner Recovery Team, Melbourne Australia.
- Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. and Steele, W.K. (eds) (2001) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
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