Manorina

Manorina is a genus of Australian endemic honeyeaters, containing four species: the black-eared miner, the yellow-throated miner, the noisy miner and the bell miner.
These birds are known for their complex social organisation and their loud and incessant calls.

The social structure of Manorina species consists of colonies that can be further subdivided into coteries and nest contingents.
A colony is a group of birds that occupy and defend a territory, which can range from 2 to 40 hectares in size.
A coterie is a smaller group of birds within a colony that share a core area and cooperate in foraging, breeding and mobbing predators.
A nest contingent is a group of birds that help a breeding pair in raising their offspring, by providing food, protection and nest sanitation.

The vocalisations of Manorina species are varied and frequent, and serve different functions such as maintaining contact, signalling aggression, coordinating activities and warning of threats.
The bell miner, in particular, has a distinctive bell-like call that gives the species its name.
Some studies have suggested that the bell miner's call may have a role in manipulating the behaviour of insects and other birds in their habitat.

Manorina species are mainly insectivorous, and feed by gleaning insects from the foliage of trees and shrubs.
They also consume nectar, pollen, fruits and seeds.
Some Manorina species, such as the bell miner and the noisy miner, have been associated with the spread and maintenance of psyllid infestations, which produce a sugary substance called lerps that the birds feed on.
This behaviour can have negative impacts on the health and diversity of the vegetation and other wildlife.

Manorina is a genus of fascinating and complex birds that are endemic to Australia.
They are known for their social organisation and vocalisations, as well as their interactions with their environment.

• The bell miner (Manorina melanophrys) lives in southeastern Australia, mainly in wet eucalypt forests and woodlands.
  It prefers areas with dense undergrowth and mistletoe, which provides food and shelter.

• The yellow-throated miner (Manorina flavigula) has a wide distribution across Australia, except for the most arid regions.
  It inhabits various types of woodlands and shrublands, often near water sources.
  It can also adapt to urban and agricultural areas, where it may compete with other birds for resources.

• The noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) is found in eastern and south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to South Australia.
  It occupies open eucalypt forests and woodlands, as well as parks and gardens in cities and towns.

• The black-eared miner (Manorina melanotis) is the rarest and most threatened species of Manorina.
  It is restricted to a small area in western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, where it lives in mallee woodlands.

The Manorina is a type of honeyeater bird that is native to Australia.
It has four species: the black-eared, the yellow-throated, the noisy and the bell miner.
They have yellow bills and bare yellow skin behind their eyes.
They feed mainly on bell lerps, which are sugary coverings made by psyllid bugs on eucalyptus leaves.
They live in large, complex, social groups and defend their territory from other birds.
They are named after the Hindi word "myna".