The invertebrate diets of small birds in Banksia woodland near Perth, W.A., during winter.

Tullis, K.J., Calver, M.C. and Wooller, R.D. (1982) The invertebrate diets of small birds in Banksia woodland near Perth, W.A., during winter. Australian Wildlife Research, 9 (2). pp. 303-309.

Abstract

Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) were the most abundant birds in Banksia woodland in winter; all species ate insects. Short-billed honeyeaters and non-nectarivores took mostly beetles, ants and bugs by gleaning, whereas long-billed honeyeaters fed more on nectar and caught mostly flies and wasps by hawking. Short-billed species segregated in their foraging heights, prey types and sizes. Long-billed species, however, overlapped considerably in these respects and all took similar insects whose capture they may have had to subsidize with energy from nectar.