The Identification of the Endangered Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis

Abstract

The Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis is probably Australia's rarest and most endangered bird. The greatest existing threat to its continued survival is genetic swamping by the common and widespread congeneric Yellow-throated Miner M. flavigula. The existence of birds that exhibit intermediate (hybrid) plumages has resulted in substantial identification problems. This has also complicated attempts to define the conservation status of the Black-eared Miner. A comparison of museum skins of birds determined to be phenotypically pure Black-eared Miners with phenotypically pure Yellow-throated Miners from within the historical distribution of the Black-eared Miner reveals that at least 17 different plumage characters separate the two species. This information is presented and the difficulties associated with the identification of Black-eared Miners are discussed. Additionally, an examination of commonly used field-guides and reference texts reveals that no currently available guides provide sufficient information to identify the species accurately.