A colour-banded population of Rufous Whistlers was studied from 1986-9
0 in eucalypt woodland near Armidale, north-eastern New South Wales. T
he whistlers were migratory, arriving at the study site in early Septe
mber, and remaining until the following April. All-purpose territories
were defended by both males and females, and the whistlers nested as
socially monogamous pairs. Eggs were laid from mid-October to January,
and clutch size was small (2.63 eggs). Both sexes shared all nesting
duties except nest building (female only). Reproductive success was lo
w (13.4%) and predation was the major cause of nesting failure (85.2%)
. After successful nests only two females re-nested. Re-nesting after
unsuccessful nests continued throughout the breeding season.