A comparison of the foraging behaviour of the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) and nectarivorous birds in a Banksia integrifolia woodland

Abstract

The foraging behaviour of a non-flying mammal, the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) and nectarivorous birds was compared in a Banksia integrifolia woodland at Wilson's Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia. Exclusion experiments performed previously in this woodland indicate that both non-flying mammals and nectarivorous birds are important pollinators of B. integrifolia (Cunningham 1991: Oecologia 87: 86-90). In this study it is shown that C. nanus and nectarivorous birds employ different foraging tactics. Nectarivorous birds tended to move further between trees (Χ = 8.16 ± 1.06 m) than C. nanus (Χ = 5.64 ± 0.75 m), although these differences were not significant. Nectarivorous birds were attracted to trees with a significantly larger number of inflorescences (Χ = 36.55 ± 2.84) than C. nanus (Χ = 18.65 ± 2.95), and visited a significantly greater number of inflorescences per tree (Χ = 4.24 ± 0.35) than C. nanus (Χ = 2.33 ± 0.22). Although the two pollinator groups were attracted to banksia plants by different cues, once in the plants they visited an equal proportion of the available inflorescences.