Movements of Helmeted Honeyeaters During the Non-breeding Season

Abstract

Twelve unpaired Helmeted Honeyeaters Lichenostomus melanops cassidix were radiotracked during the non-breeding season of 1992 to determine the extent and nature of their movements. Three of the birds moved away from the site where they were resident at the beginning of the study. The purpose of these movements may have been to become familiar with the local topography before dispersal or to assess breeding opportunities at other sites. All three were females aged less than one year. Movements of two of these birds were characterised by repeated forays away from their natal territories, culminating in dispersal. Additional monitoring of movements by sightings indicated that the proportions of birds without transmitters and radiotagged birds which moved were similar. A greater proportion of female than male Helmeted Honeyeaters moved during the non-breeding season and breeding records from 1984 to 1994 demonstrated that natal dispersal was female-biased. In small populations such as that of the Helmeted Honeyeater, sex-biased dispersal does not reduce the chances of inbreeding to the same extent as it would in large populations. Radiotracking revealed that unpaired Helmeted Honeyeaters may move many kilometres from their territories over winter and this should be considered when planning management strategies for this population.