Seasonal Variation of Abundance and Foraging of Three Species of Australian Honeyeaters.

Abstract

At Wongamine Reserve, Western Australia, in 1977-81, honeyeaters (Lichmera indistincta, Phylidonyris nigra and Melithreptus brevirostris) were observed. The birds made movements that were related to the abundance of flowers and associated nectar. No species relied on a single plant species for nectar in any season. The birds ate also arthropods picked from bark and leaves. They did not take coleopherans.