Comparative Ecology of Pardalotes, including the Forty-Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus quadragintus (Aves : Pardalotidae) in SOuth-Eastern TAsmania

Abstract

Three species of pardalote co-occur only in eastern Tasmania. We examined habitat selection and foraging ecology of the three species, Pardalotus punctatus, P. quadragintus and P. striatus, in that area. Overlap and similarity between all three species was high in both foraging activity and habitat choice. All three species are specialized leaf-gleaners and favoured Eucalyptus virninalis forests. The distributions of the species were related to Eucalyptus species diversity, species of Eucal.vptus dominant, disturbance, and number of hollows and overmature trees at sites. It is suggested that there is substantial interaction between P. quadragintus and P. striatus and that this may affect the distribution and abundance of the restricted and declining P. quadragintus.