Orientation studies on the regent honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia (Meliphagidae), an endangered bird of south-eastern Australia

Authors
Citation
B. Cooke et U. Munro, Orientation studies on the regent honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia (Meliphagidae), an endangered bird of south-eastern Australia, AUST J ZOOL, 48(4), 2000, pp. 379-384
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
ISSN journal
0004959X → ACNP
Volume
48
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
379 - 384
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-959X(2000)48:4<379:OSOTRH>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Six juvenile regent honeyeaters, Xanthomyza phrygia, from a captive populat ion held at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, were tested for their orientation in the e arly morning between April and July 1998. Testing was performed outdoors in Emlen orientation cages, which were covered with opaque lids. All study bi rds oriented in a north-easterly direction between April and late May (Stag e 1). During June and July (Stage 2) no uniform directional preferences wer e shown. The results obtained for regent honeyeaters during the April/May p eriod suggest that there is some genetic control of seasonal movements and that the birds use a non-visual compass mechanism, as in some migratory Aus tralian birds. The interpretation of our results remains tentative due to t he lack of knowledge of regent honeyeater movements in the wild.