Status and foraging in New Zealand honeyeaters

Abstract

Aggression is a common feature of sociality among nectar-feeding birds, and these have been used to consider many aspects of ecological theory, for example community structure, foraging patterns, social organisation and plant-pollinator systems.

Knowledge of aggression among and within New Zealand's honeyeater species is reviewed. Additional information on the importance of various asymmetric cues as learned predictors of status is considered. High-status individuals appear to gain access to nectar in all situations.

Honeyeaters are monogamous and the relationship between the sexes is examined. Even when mates are not formally associated, both appear to benefit from the presence of the other. Examples of the effect of status on pollination efficiency are also considered.

Workers are urged to consider status and individual differences if we are to increase our understanding of community structure, foraging and plant-pollinator interaction.

Keywords:

• Honeyeaters
• Meliphagidae
• tui
• bellbird
• stitch bird
• Prosthemadera
• Melanura
• Notiomystis
• hierarchies
• status
• foraging
• pollination
• vasymmetries
• resource access
• nectar