10,000 Birds

Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala melanocephala
Sydney Botanic Gardens. March 2004 and February 2006

The Noisy Miner - a common species of honeyeater meliphagidae - is found from northern Queensland along the eastern coast to South Australia and Tasmania. They are found in woodlands and open forests, and have also become well adapted to suburban situations and are a common sight in parks and gardens. The name is well suited as the common calls - loud ‘pwee pwee pwee’ and a piping ‘pee pee pee’ when alarmed - are uttered repeatedly by the members of the colony.

Despite their moderate size (28 cm), 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.

Noisy Miners feed on nectar, fruits and insects. Very occasionally they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Food is either taken from trees or on the ground.

All photographs copyright Charlie Moores.