Monday, May 11, 2009

Noisy Miner

Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala) are one of the most common honeyeaters along the east of Australia. As the name suggests they are noisy and inquisitive. They often live in colonies and can be quite aggressive to other birds. I have had them sit just out of reach and scold me until I left what they considered to be their territory. Strangely, I have not seen any close to where I live right now. These photos were taken up at Esk.
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13 comments:

  1. Bob KaufmanMay 12, 2009 at 1:34 AM

    Wow, great shots of an interesting bird. I understand the "noisy" part, but why are they called miners?

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  2. AnonymousMay 12, 2009 at 2:21 AM

    Excellent shots, Mick. Love the yellow above their eyes and their beaks.

    I'm afraid I don't really remember them from my two trips, I wasn't very bird aware then.

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  3. mickMay 12, 2009 at 4:56 AM

    Hi Bob and Cynthia, the reason for the 'miner' part of the name is a puzzle. Some say it is a corruption of the name 'mynah' but others say the coloring around the head and face reminded early colonists of coal miners coming out of coal pits.

    Hi Gwendolen, maybe a third trip out here to look at the birds would be good!!

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  4. KellyMay 12, 2009 at 6:18 AM

    ...my first time to an Australian blog! A whole new bunch of birds to learn...I love this guy. He is gorgeous!

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  5. mickMay 12, 2009 at 7:08 AM

    Hi Kelly, Welcome and I hope you come back! I sure don't know all the birds I read about on the overseas blogs but I learn lots - and also get more ideas for photography and blogging.

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  6. Tricia RyderMay 12, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    What an impressive looking bird Mick - striking colouring.

    I'll swap a few Long-tailed tits for a couple of Miner birds?

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  7. mickMay 12, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    Thanks Tricia, I think the Long-tailed Tits are far more interesting - but then it all might be a matter of the 'grass being greener' over there!

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  8. tilcheffMay 12, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    They are very photogenic too! Noisy M-s feathers somehow make autofocus systems perform at their best :D
    Love the huge variety of calls they have and the organised aggressive behaviour towards much bigger creatures. They are a lot of fun to watch!
    Very nice photos, Mick!

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  9. VickieMay 12, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    This noisy guy is beautiful! You're going to laugh, but I was just thinking, I wish Mick would post bigger images. Then for the first time it occurred to me they might be linked to larger images. And guess what! Gorgeous images with so much detail. When you have time, send me an email and tell me how you do that.
    viclcsw AT aol DOT com

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  10. mickMay 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    Thanks Nickolay for your comments.

    Thanks Vickie for your comments too and I have emailed you.

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  11. Brad MyersMay 13, 2009 at 1:53 AM

    First time I have ever seen this bird, it is neat to see birds from all over the world.

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  12. GouldiaeMay 13, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    G'day Mick,
    Perhaps you should be thankful you don't have too many 'noisys' around your place at present. As you point out, they are aggressive to anything in their territory.
    One of their alternative names - soldierbird - is quite apt too, they often attack other species in battalions!
    Gouldiae

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  13. mickMay 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    Hi Bradley, thanks for visiting and commenting

    Hi Gouldiae, I'm sure you're right. I wonder if the Blue-faced Honeyeaters keep the Noisy Miners away - they are similarly aggressive and just as much of a nuisance.

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