Ecology of the Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia

Abstract

Data collected from archival material, literature surveys and responses to a questionnaire show that the Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia is distributed mostly within 300 km of Australia's south-east coast, from latitude 26°30′S (100 km north of Brisbane) to latitude 39°S (near Wilsons Promontory) and as far west as longitude 138°30′E (Adelaide). The species inhabits eucalypt woodlands and open-forest as well as treed farmland and urban areas. Regent Honeyeaters feed mainly on nectar and insects. Nectar is obtained chiefly from eucalypts and is clearly an important determinant of its lifestyle. The species aggressively defends nectar sources against other species of honeyeaters including larger species, although not always successfully. Other food is obtained mainly by foliage gleaning, although hawking and bark feeding are also important. Aggregations occur most often during autumn and winter and at nectar sources. Breeding occurs mostly from August to January. They may have adapted to the general unpredictability of eucalypt nectar flows by movements with two elements: semi-migratory longer-distance movement between regions where a supply of nectar is reliable and abundant; and local wandering in search of accessible nectar.