Black-eared_miner

Black-eared miner

Black-eared miner

Species of bird

The black-eared miner (Manorina melanotis) is an endangered honeyeater endemic to mallee woodland in south-eastern Australia.

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...

Taxonomy

Manorina melanotis was identified by Francis Erasmus Wilson in 1911.[2] It is closely related to the much more widely distributed yellow-throated miner M. flavigula, and the taxonomic status of the black-eared miner is the subject of some controversy, with some researchers considering it a subspecies of M. flavigula.[3]

Behaviour

Black-eared miners are co-operative breeders, living in colonies during the breeding season, and dispersing into the bush during non-breeding periods. Little is known of their movements during these periods.[3]

In 2022, it was reported that the species had been interbreeding with the yellow-throated miner.[4]

Distribution and habitat

IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas), identified by BirdLife International as being important for black-eared miner conservation, are areas containing relatively intact, mallee woodland in north-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. They comprise Murray-Sunset, Hattah and Annuello, the Riverland Mallee, and Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat.[5]

Conservation status

Yellow-throated miner (right) and black-eared miner × yellow-throated miner hybrid (left). Recent contact of black-earned miner and yellow-throated miner populations is due to human impacts on mallee habitat[6]

Black-eared miners' survival became threatened by habitat clearance to make way for agriculture, and the bird experienced competition from goats, rabbits, kangaroos, and other herbivores, which then had access to water which they had not previously had.[4] The species was assessed as "probably Australia's rarest and most endangered bird" in 2016 by ornithologist John McLaughlin,[7] while a 2018 study ranked it as the 10th bird at most risk of extinction.[8]

As of 2022, there remain around 200 colonies, with up to 20 birds within each colony. Interbreeding with the yellow-throated miner has affected the genetic integrity of the black-eared miner, which adds to the risk to their population.[4]

The species is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List (2021.3) and under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,[2] and its conservation status in several Australian states is as follows:

Conservation measures

In July 2022, it was announced that AUD$125,000 has been dedicated to protect the black-eared miner. The Australian Government has provided the funding to the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board (MRLB) and their partners for the project.[12] As part of the project, researchers will do genetic testing of birds in the 200 populations.[4]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    BirdLife International (2016). "Manorina melanotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22704441A93968828. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704441A93968828.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Manorina melanotis – Black-eared Miner". Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Government. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  3. [3]
    Higgins, Peter; Christidis, Les; Ford, Hugh (4 March 2020). Del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David; De Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Black-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis)". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.blemin1.01. S2CID 216212426. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  4. [4]
    Landau, Sophie (9 July 2022). "Endangered black-eared miner to be scrutinised by researchers to learn extent of cross-species breeding". Australia: ABC News. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Black-eared Miner". Important Bird Areas. BirdLife International. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  6. [6]
    "Black-eared Miner - profile". Office of Environment and Heritage. NSW Government. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  7. [7]
    McLaughlin, John (26 May 2016). "The Identification of the Endangered Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis". Australian Field Ornithology. 15 (3). Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  8. [8]
    Geyle, Hayley M.; Woinarski, John C. Z.; et al. (20 April 2018). "Quantifying extinction risk and forecasting the number of impending Australian bird and mammal extinctions". Pacific Conservation Biology. 24 (2): 157–167. doi:10.1071/PC18006. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30109156. ISSN 2204-4604. Retrieved 11 July 2022. PDF
  9. [9]
    Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2007). Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2007. East Melbourne: Department of Sustainability and Environment. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-74208-039-0.
  10. [10]
    "Listed Items". Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. Archived from the original on 18 July 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. [11]
    "Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act: Action Statement Index by Category and Scientific Name". Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. Archived from the original on 11 September 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. [12]
    Lowe, Sam (8 July 2022). "New conservation project to protect endangered species". The Murray Valley Standard. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
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