Abstract
The regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is a large endangered honeyeater from eastern and south-eastern Australia. Little is known about the ecology of this bird during the autumn-winter period, when it is absent from its breeding areas. In this study, food consumption and body condition of captive regent honeyeaters were studied during this period. Nectar was the dominant component of the regent honeyeaters’ diet and varied significantly throughout the study, peaking in early July. Fruit and mealworm consumption also showed significant seasonal shifts with maxima in late June and early March, respectively. In general, immature birds consumed significantly more protein-rich food than adults. The average body mass of the male birds varied significantly with season. Female birds did not show a significant seasonal change in body mass but, similarly to males, attained their highest mass in late April. Fat deposition changed significantly over months, with highest levels of fat recorded from late April until late June. These seasonal trends, independent of food abundance, may suggest that body condition within this species is controlled endogenously.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by Kevin Evans, Chris Hibbard, Geo Papas, Paul Andrew, William Meikle, Tracy Rogers, Trena Carney and the members of the Bird Division of Taronga Zoo, Sydney. We are also grateful to David Geering and the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Committee for providing support and knowledge. We also thank Daniela Lay for helping in maintaining the study birds, Brad Murray, University of Technology (UTS) for statistical advice, the support staff of UTS for technical assistance, and three anonymous reviewers for valuable comments. The experiments comply with the current laws of Australia.
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Munro, U., McFadden, M. Food consumption, body mass and fat deposition in captive regent honeyeaters, Xanthomyza phrygia (Meliphagidae), during the non-breeding season. J Ornithol 146, 65–71 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-004-0057-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-004-0057-2