Bell Miner
Manorina melanophrys
EndemicStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Bell Miner (*Manorina melanophrys*), also known as the bellbird, is a medium-sized honeyeater endemic to southeastern Australia. Instantly recognizable by its bright olive-green plumage and constant bell-like “tink” calls, this species lives in large, complex colonies in eucalypt forests and woodlands with dense shrubby understorey. Bell Miners are best known for their cooperative breeding, aggressive territorial behaviour, and their unique relationship with psyllid insects,.
Fun Facts
Bell Miners are named for their constant, bell-like “tink” calls, which can make them easier to hear than see in dense foliage.
1. Bright olive-green plumage with a yellow bill and orange-yellow legs
2. Red-orange bare patch behind the eye and blackish crown
3. Constant, bell-like “tink” calls from dense eucalypt understorey
Bell Miners are found along the east and southeast of mainland Australia, from Gympie in Queensland south to Melbourne in Victoria. They inhabit open eucalypt forests and woodlands with a dense shrubby understorey, especially in gullies, foothills, and coastal plains. They are also found in suburban parks and gardens with remt bushland, provided dense undergrowth and eucalypts remain. Bell Miners are most often encountered in colonies, especially in areas where eucalypts are infested with psyllids, sometimes contributing to forest dieback.
Physical Attributes
Height
18 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds32%
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