Breeding Behavior of the New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

Abstract

The breeding of New Holland Honeyeaters was studied in New England National Park, N.S.W., between June 1981 and December 1983. New Hollands bred in the autumn and spring of each year. Of the 57 eggs found, only 36.8% survived to become fledglings, with most of the losses being attributed to predation. Nest sites were defended and the owners discriminated between different intruder species. In terms of energy from nectar, these territories were uneconomical for most of the reproductive cycle in autumn. Males undertook most of the nest defence while only females built nests and incubated eggs. During incubation, females used the territory's nectar resources more than the males.