The yellow-throated miner is a species of colonial honeyeater, endemic to Australia. It is also known as the white-rumped miner. The distinctive white rump is easy to observe in the field and distinguishes it from the other miner species. Yellow-throated miners are medium-sized, grey passerines with yellow throat markings, legs, and bare patches around the eye. The common name 'miner' is an alternative spelling of the word myna, mynah or minah, and is shared with other members of the genus Manorina. Though miners were originally named due to their resemblance to the common myna of South and Southeast Asia that shares similar yellow eye-patch and legs, common mynas are from the starling family and are not closely related to the honeyeater family. Common mynas are an aggressive introduced pest in Australia, which causes some confusion with the native aggressive miners.
Region
Central and northern Australia
Typical Environment
Found widely across arid and semi-arid interiors, especially in open eucalypt and acacia woodlands, mulga, and chenopod scrub. They frequent riparian trees, spinifex grasslands with scattered trees, and edges of farmland and town parks. Dense forests and rainforests are largely avoided. They are adaptable and readily use roadside trees and shelterbelts in pastoral country.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-throated miner is a colonial honeyeater native to Australia, often seen in noisy groups that vigorously defend their territories. Its bright yellow throat and bare yellow eye-skin contrast with a conspicuous white rump that flashes in flight. These birds frequently practice cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting the nesting pair. They thrive in open, human-modified landscapes as well as natural arid woodlands.
In Yulara, Northern Territory, Australia
Yellow-throated miners socializing
Yellow-throated miner family, Kilcowera Station, QLD
Left is a hybrid yellow-throated × black-eared miner (note dark stripe under lower mandible, less yellow on throat, and darker head) while right is a typical yellow-throated miner, Gluepot Reserve
Temperament
social and assertive
Flight Pattern
direct flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Lives in colonies that maintain group territories and aggressively mob intruders. Cooperative breeding is common, with helpers assisting in feeding nestlings. Nests are open cups placed in trees or shrubs, often in loose clusters within a colony.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes sharp chattering calls, scolds, and ringing contact notes. Groups call frequently to keep cohesion, and chorus-like bouts occur during territorial disputes.
