HABITAT SELECTION BY HELMETED HONEYEATERS

The realised niche of the helmeted honeyeater, in terms of the florist ic and structural attributes of the vegetation, was determined using l ogistic discrimination. The vegetation was divided into two communitie s, Eucalyptus camphora swampland and E. viminalis-dominated riparian f orest, based on differences observed in other studies on foraging beha viour within these two communities. The variables describing the reali sed niche of the helmeted honeyeater in the E. camphora community were a high bark index, a large number of E. camphora stems and the presen ce of surface water. The results for the E. viminalis community were l ess conclusive, but suggest that a deep eucalypt canopy may be importa nt. These variables relate to the feeding and breeding biology of the helmeted honeyeater. Habitat models of this form will allow appropriat e habitat management strategies for Yellingbo State Nature Reserve to be developed, as well as allow the suitability of potential helmeted h oneyeater release or relocation sites to be assessed.