Bell Miner

The bell miner, Manorina melanophrys, colloquially known as the bellbird, is a colonial honeyeater with a distinctive bell-like call. This species is the smallest within its genus, Manorina, and can be identified by its olive-green plumage, which is darker on the wings and yellower on the belly. Weighing between 25g and 35g, with an average length of 18.5 cm and a wingspan averaging 26.5 cm, the bell miner exhibits a slightly downturned yellow bill, bright orange legs, and a red-orange patch behind the eye. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are marginally larger.

Identification Tips

To identify the bell miner, look for its black crown and lores, yellow feathers in front of the eye, and a dark streak running from the bill's corner downward, giving a frowning appearance. The eyes are brown, and the mouth is yellow. Juveniles are more brownish and less vibrant than adults, lacking the bare skin patch behind the eye, which develops as they mature.

Habitat

Bell miners favor the margins of wet or dry sclerophyll forests and dense woodlands, often near a stream or other permanent water source. They thrive in habitats with a thick understory, sparse midstory, and a dense canopy, typically in higher rainfall areas near the coast.

Distribution

This endemic species is found from Gympie in Queensland, south along the coastal plain and ranges, to around Melbourne in Victoria. They are particularly associated with habitats that provide their preferred food source and can be found in disturbed areas with thick undergrowth of lantana.

Behaviour

Bell miners live in large, complex social groups, with subgroups consisting of several breeding pairs and nonbreeding helpers. They defend their territory communally and aggressively, excluding most other passerine species to protect their food source. They are known to undergo population booms when local forests experience dieback due to increased lerp psyllid infestations.

Song & Calls

The bell miner's call is a tinkling bell-like sound, which is more often heard than seen as they forage high in the canopy. Their "ping" contact call is maintained throughout the day as they move through the foliage.

Breeding

Breeding occurs throughout the year, with a primary season from April to December, varying by geographic location. Bell miners are monogamous, with females building the nest and incubating the eggs. Nests are small, cup-shaped, and hidden in dense understory foliage. Eggs are pink with reddish-brown spots.

Similar Species

The bell miner may be confused with the crested bellbird, an Australian inland endemic, but the two species have distinct calls, behaviours, and do not share ranges.

Diet and Feeding

Bell miners feed almost exclusively on psyllids and their secretions, such as bell lerps. They forage primarily in the canopy but will also consume nectar and other insects.

Conservation status

The bell miner is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.