Commonly found in gardens, parks and open woodlands in eastern Australia, the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) is an Australian bird that looks as though it has a great deal to say and is disappointed that the rest of the world has not yet listened. It is a good-looking bird, with grey plumage, a black head, a yellow bill and feet, and a bright yellow patch behind its eye. But its most striking feature is not its appearance. It is its voice, and its determination to be heard.
A Noisy Miner can sit quietly on a branch one moment. The next, one bird calls, another answers, and soon the entire neighbourhood seems to have joined the discussion. It reminds me of certain WhatsApp groups. One message is enough to set everyone off. Within minutes, everybody has something to say, and nobody seems particularly interested in listening. The Noisy Miner appears to have appointed itself the garden’s security guard, welfare committee and residents’ association rolled into one. A smaller bird arriving for a peaceful meal may find itself the target of an alarm call and a rather forceful eviction.
For a bird photographer, however, this self-importance is part of its charm. Its alert expressions, contrasting plumage and bright yellow eyes make it an interesting subject. Looking sideways, with its beak slightly open, it seems to be making a sarcastic remark. Standing upright, it resembles an inspector checking whether the garden is being properly maintained. It has the air of a dictatorial politician addressing a rally, convinced that its own voice is the only one that matters and that anyone who dares to disagree must be an enemy of the nation.
A still photograph can capture the open beak, the tilt of the head and the intensity of its gaze. I wish it could capture the sound. Whether announcing an intruder, arguing with a neighbour or simply commenting on the general state of affairs, the Noisy Miner gives the impression that silence is such a waste of time.
Some birds sing. Some birds pose. The Noisy Miner does both.
Photos and text by Prerna Jain.
