Noisy Miner

Description:

The Noisy Miner is a bold and curious bird, and is an Australian native. It is identified by its mostly grey body and black crown and cheeks. The bill is yellow, as are the legs and the naked skin behind the eye. The name is well suited as the common calls are uttered repeatedly by the members of the colony. The Noisy Miner is a notably aggressive bird, and chasing, pecking, fighting, scolding, and mobbing occur throughout the day, targeted at both intruders and colony members. It is a passerine bird of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae (which also includes the Friar Bird and Blue-faced Honeyeater).

Habitat:

Noisy Miners are found in woodlands and open forests. They have also become well adapted to suburban situations and are a common sight in parks and gardens. They range from northern Queensland along the eastern coast to South Australia and Tasmania.

Notes:

I love to watch the Miners, and their name is well deserved... because the are noisy! They are, however, very aggressive and territorial birds. When they attack, they usually do it as a mob. I have seen them attack other bird species and they are quite savage, and will usually peck to the death if given the chance. They are particularly aggressive towards the Blue-faced Honeyeater, another passerine bird of the same family. I do not hesitate to intervene, even if it is nature's way.