I could hear them but I couldn’t see them... I waited patiently, then finally caught a glimpse of the, more often heard and rarely seen, bellbird! The bell miner (Manorina melanophrys), is a species of honeyeater native to south-eastern Australia. Their common name refers to their high-pitched, bell-like, “ping” sounding call. The birds feed primarily on the dome-like coverings, or “bell lerps", of certain psyllid bugs that feed on eucalyptus sap from the leaves (creating the “bell-lerps” from their own honeydew secretions to protect themselves) Bellbirds live in large complex social groups, or colonies, consisting of smaller clan groups. The clans are made up of several monogamous breeding pairs with non breeding individuals that serve as nest helpers, who assisting to feed and raise the young of the breeding pairs. They can be quite aggressive towards other birds, especially larger birds, with the clans hanging up to drive other birds from their territory. #funfactswithnate #bellbird #bellminer #manorinamelanophrys #wildaustralia #nature #australia #native #bird #camouflaged #ping #birdcall #heardandnotseen #knowitallnate #nateknowseverything #nowyouknow #adventuresofrockstarnate #rockstarnate (at Tathra, New South Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqqe8rMlbai/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uumhwgvbl5mt
