Social Organization of Bell Miners

Abstract

A preliminary account is given of a continuing study of an isolated sedentary population of colour-banded Bell Miners Manorina melanophrys at Bundoora, Victoria, started in March 1974. The population consisted of a loose aggregation of discrete and mobile groups based on the family unit. Groups held separate territories but combined with other groups in defence of the whole area. All avian intruders between the canopy and the top of the understorey are attacked. Twenty-six species were recorded as being attacked. Breeding was recorded in each month of the year. Nests were built by a single bird and were not re-used. One bird nested five times between August 1975 and May 1976. Breeding success was low. Only twenty-three per cent of eggs laid produced independent young. Mortality was greatest immediately after fledging. There was only one active nest in each group at any time and birds other than the parents fed the nestlings. Some visits were by birds of neighbouring groups.