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
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.