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

Taxonomy

Manorina melanotis was identified by Francis Erasmus Wilson in 1911. 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.

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

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.

Conservation status

Black-eared miners' survival became threatened by habitat clearance to make way for agriculture, and the bird experienced competition from feral goats, European rabbits, kangaroos, and other large herbivores, which then had access to water which they had not previously had. The species was assessed as "probably Australia's rarest and most endangered bird" in 2016 by ornithologist John McLaughlin, while a 2018 study ranked it as the 10th bird at most risk of extinction. , 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. The species is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List (2021.3) and under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, 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. As part of the project, researchers will do genetic testing of birds in the 200 populations.