TY - JOUR
T1 - The importance of eucalypt nectar in the diet of large honeyeaters
AU - Saunders, Anthony S. J.
AU - Burgin, Shelley
AU - Jones, Hugh
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - In a study comparing the densities of Noisy Friarbirds Philemon corniculatus, Red Wattlebirds Anthocaera carunculata and flowering eucalypts, between 1992 and 1996 in central eastern New South Wales, the flowering of trees was found to be a very highly significant explanatory variable accounting for changes in honeyeater numbers at both regional and local scales. Correlations between counts of honeyeaters and flowering trees and the propoprtion of time spent in aggression and foraging at flowering trees were significant. At sites on the western slopes, flowering trees are more significant in determining the density of these two honeyeaters than sites on the coast and tablelends. While eucalypt nectar is important at some sites and for some seasons, it is suggested that other factors, such as patch size and other foods, may determine the whereabouts of these two honeyeaters. The correlations suggest that both honeyeaters seek higher yeilding flowering patches, and that defence of nectar sources is more worthwhile when resources are more concentrated and localised. This study indicates that remnant forests on the western slopes provide important foraging habitat in winter and spring, particularly for P.corniculatus.
AB - In a study comparing the densities of Noisy Friarbirds Philemon corniculatus, Red Wattlebirds Anthocaera carunculata and flowering eucalypts, between 1992 and 1996 in central eastern New South Wales, the flowering of trees was found to be a very highly significant explanatory variable accounting for changes in honeyeater numbers at both regional and local scales. Correlations between counts of honeyeaters and flowering trees and the propoprtion of time spent in aggression and foraging at flowering trees were significant. At sites on the western slopes, flowering trees are more significant in determining the density of these two honeyeaters than sites on the coast and tablelends. While eucalypt nectar is important at some sites and for some seasons, it is suggested that other factors, such as patch size and other foods, may determine the whereabouts of these two honeyeaters. The correlations suggest that both honeyeaters seek higher yeilding flowering patches, and that defence of nectar sources is more worthwhile when resources are more concentrated and localised. This study indicates that remnant forests on the western slopes provide important foraging habitat in winter and spring, particularly for P.corniculatus.
KW - Honeyeaters
KW - Ecology
KW - New South Wales
KW - Eucalyptus
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/9834
M3 - Article
SN - 0155-0438
JO - Corella : journal of the Australian Bird Study Association
JF - Corella : journal of the Australian Bird Study Association
ER -