Noisy miner

Manorina melanocephala

Photo by J.J. Harrison (Wikipedia)

Common name:
noisy miner (en); melífago-barulhento (pt); méliphage bruyant (fr); mielero chillón (es); weißstirn-schwatzvogel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Meliphagidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, being found in the eastern half of the country from northern Queensland to eastern South Australia. It is also found in Tasmania.

Size:
These birds are 24-29 cm long and have a wingspan of 36-45 cm. They weigh 60-80 g.

Habitat:
The noisy miner is mostly found in dry woodlands and savannas, but also in grasslands, scrublands, pastures, arable land, rural gardens and often also in urban parks and gardens. 

Diet:
They mainly feed on nectar, but also fruits, seeds and invertebrates, also sometimes also small reptiles and amphibians. They are known to take the nectar of Jacaranda mimosifolia, Erythrina variegata, Lagunaria patersonia, Callistemon salignus, Callistemon viminalis, Eucalyptus sp., Banksia ericifolia, B. integrifolia, B. serrata, Grevillea aspleniifolia, G. banksii, G. hookeriana, G. juniperina, G. rosmarinifolia, and Chaenomeles speciosa.

Breeding:
Noisy miners breed in July-December. They form small to large colonies, with the females building the nests, deep cups woven of twigs and grasses with other plant material, animal hair and spider webs. There the female lays 2-4 white to cream, pinkish or buff coloured eggs with reddish-brown markings, which she incubates alone for about 16 days. The chicks are fed by the female and by up to 20 male helpers who bring food to several of the nests in the colony, and fledge about 16 days after hatching. They continue to receive food from adults for 4-5 weeks. Each female may raise several broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat