Differences in the diet of the male and female tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae: Meliphagidae)

Abstract

Tui are shown to be highly nectarivorous but observations show differences in degree of importance between the three food categories; nectar, fruit and arthropods, according to season. Foraging observations were significantly different for male and female tui during spring and especially during autumn, with males taking more nectar and females taking more arthropods.

Keywords:

• honeyeater
• nectar-feeder
• tui
• foraging
• Meliphagidae
• nectar
• diet
• feeding
• Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae