Australian Birds

Bell Miner (Bellbird)

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Ark.au

Manorina melanophrys

Other Names: Bellbird, Bell Bird

Size: Birds Size: 17-20 cm

Family: Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters, 74 species in Australia).

Distribution: Within about 300 km of the coast of NSW, Eastern VIC and the most southern QLD coasts.

Status: Common

Habitat: Forests, woodlands

References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest

About the Bell Miner (Bellbird)

The bell miner, or bellbird, is most well know for its chiming bell-like call. They are much more often heard than they are seen, since the call is loud and the bird looks a drab green-grey colour that blends in very well with the trees it is found in. They are very closely related to the noisy miner and not closely related to the introduced common or "Indian" myna.

The beak and feet of the bell miner are yellowish-orange with a small reddish-orange patch behind the eye.

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Manorina melanophrys - Ark.au
Photo: Lapstone, Blue Mountains NSW.

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Manorina melanophrys - Ark.au
Photo: Lapstone, Blue Mountains NSW.

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Manorina melanophrys - Ark.au
Photo: Lapstone, Blue Mountains NSW.

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Manorina melanophrys - Ark.au
Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Higher Resolution 687 x 1000.

Bell Miner (Bellbird) - Manorina melanophrys - Ark.au
Photo: Lapstone, Blue Mountains NSW.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

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