One of the principal threats to the endangered black-eared miner is that they readily hybridize with yellow-throated miners where they co-exist, making some suggest that the black-eared miner should be considered a subspecies of the yellow-throated miner. However, further research has demonstrated that before dramatic alteration of the black-eared miner's preferred mallee habitat began around 1950, the two species had separable phenotypic characters, so they should be considered separate species.
The main danger to the endangered black-eared miner is its propensity to interbreed with the yellow-throated miner when they coexist. This has led some to propose that the black-eared miner could be considered a subspecies of the yellow-throated miner. However, further research has demonstrated that prior to significant changes in the black-eared miner's preferred habitat around 1950, the two species had distinct physical characteristics, indicating they should be regarded as separate species with unique traits.