Journal article
Search tactics of insectivorous birds foraging in an Australian eucalypt forest
Auk, Vol.103(3), pp.515-530
1986
Abstract
Five major searching modes were identified among 23 common, mostly insectivorous bird species, distinguished largely by rates, distances and angles moved by birds while foraging and by their prey-capture behaviour. Some bird species typically moved slowly, visually examining substrates at relatively long distances, and then took flight to capture prey (eg whistlers, flycatchers, muscicapid robins, cuckoos). Others moved at more rapid rates and either gleaned small prey from nearby substrates (eg thornbills, treecreepers) or flushed insects that were then pursued (eg fantails). Eastern shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus and white-eared honeyeater Meliphaga leucotis were specialized substrate-restricted searchers, seeking invertebrate and carbohydrate foods among the exfoliating bark of Eucalpytus.
Details
- Title
- Search tactics of insectivorous birds foraging in an Australian eucalypt forest
- Authors/Creators
- R.T. Holmes (Author/Creator)H.F. Recher (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Auk, Vol.103(3), pp.515-530
- Publisher
- Ornithological Societies of North America
- Identifiers
- 991005540852107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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