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

Abstract

Six juvenile regent honeyeaters, Xanthomyza phrygia, from a captive population held at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, were tested for their orientation in the early morning between April and July 1998. Testing was performed outdoors in Emlen orientation cages, which were covered with opaque lids. All study birds oriented in a north-easterly direction between April and late May (Stage 1). During June and July (Stage 2) no uniform directional preferences were shown. The results obtained for regent honeyeaters during the April/May period suggest that there is some genetic control of seasonal movements and that the birds use a non-visual compass mechanism, as in some migratory Australian birds. The interpretation of our results remains tentative due to the lack of knowledge of regent honeyeater movements in the wild.