Australia isn’t just plagued by pigeons or swooped by magpies – the miner is also a source of frustration and annoyance.
But, did you know that there are two types of miner? There’s the native honeyeater or miner, and the introduced common myna. Both are spelled differently, and both are quite different, once you get to know them.
Welcome to our myna vs miner guide, where we show you all of the differences between each species, and most importantly, how to tell them apart. Which one do you have in your garden? Let’s find out together.
Why is it important to know the difference
Knowing the difference between myna and miner isn’t all that necessary for the average Aussie. However, if you love birdwatching, or you’re entering in the Great Aussie Bird Count, being able to tell them apart is essential.
As Sean Dooley, National Public Affairs Manager of BirdLife, explains, knowing the difference between the two birds is helpful for identification and demographic purposes. Since the birds are similar in aggressiveness and attitude, knowing whether it is the introduced or native bird that’s causing trouble means gathering more accurate data.
Common or Indian myna
This cutesy little guy is the major problem in the miner vs myna debate. The Common or Indian myna (sometimes spelt mynah) is an introduced species that originates in Asia. This bird is a member of the starling family (not the miner family), and was introduced into Melbourne in the 1860s as a method of pest control.
Since then, it’s become somewhat of a pest itself, spreading from Victoria into the east and south-east coastlines in Australia. As one of the most recognised birds in cities across the nation, it’s also considered to be one of the most controversial. With loud raucous chorusing and aggressive behaviour during breeding season, this bird has a lot of attitude.
How to spot a common myna
Indian mynahs are mostly brown with a black head, and bright yellow legs and bill. When flying, you can spot a large white patch on the underside of their wings. These birds tend to frequent urban areas, inhabiting roof voids, large trees and man-made structures like bridges.
Noisy miner
Noisy miners are an icon in Australia. As the second most sighted bird, according to the Great Aussie Bird Count, this native honeyeater is extremely common. They’re found in almost all of Australia, apart from WA and Tassie (although there is a Tasmanian subspecies that has a more intense yellow colouring).
Aptly named, this bird has a chirpy, piping melody you can hear at all times of the year. Similar to the common myna, it is also aggressive during breeding season, and can be known to swoop.
How to spot a noisy miner
This bird is grey in colour, with a black head and orange-yellow beak and feet. With a distinctive yellow patch and white tips on the wing, it’s easy to spot.
Noisy miners predominantly inhabit eucalypt forests that don’t have much dense shrub. However, because they are honeyeaters and seek out nectar-producing plants, you may be able to spot them in your backyard.
Yellow-throated miner
Don’t worry, Western Australia, we didn’t forget about you! While you might be hard-pressed to find a noisy miner, the yellow-throated miner is as common as a sunny day in WA.
Also known as the white-rumped miner, they’re found across all of Australia, but are most widely distributed in the west.
How to spot a yellow-throated miner
Yellow-throated miners have, you guessed it, a small patch of yellow on either side of their throat. They’re just as noisy as noisy miners, and live in social, community groups in mostly arid and semi-arid regions. This includes woodlands and scrublands of acacia, eucalyptus, mallee and causarina.
Are miner birds pests?
Native miner species, including the noisy miner and the yellow-throated miner, are not considered to be pests.
The Indian myna bird is considered invasive in Australia and is classified as a pest. This is because they eat almost anything they can get their hands on and often eat the eggs of native bird species. Indian mynahs are also known to evict other bird species from their habitats, and leave them unusable after they’re done with them.
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