Honeyeater ecology: An introduction

Abstract

Nectar-feeding birds are often used for testing quantitative models but most of this work has been done on groups in the Northern Hemisphere and only recently have workers turned their attention to honeyeaters (Meliphagidae). Predictions of upper size limits derived from North America appear inappropriate and possible reasons for this are discussed. One; the suggested evolutionary links between nectar-feeding birds and their flowers, may not be as close for honeyeaters but further work is needed. Other aspects such as research on community and social relationships among honeyeaters appears rewarding but little is known.

We caution workers on expecting agreement with wide generalisations in any topic because of known variability in movements and diet in different areas and for different individuals.

Keywords:

• Meliphagidae
• nectar-feeding
• honeyeaters
• ecological models