Relationship between nectar production and yearly and spatial variation in density and nesting of resident honeyeaters in heathland near Sydney

Abstract

Abstract The maximum density of resident honeyeaters in heathland near Sydney was very similar from one area and year to another, despite large variation in production of nectar‐energy. The most likely explanation for this is that density is determined by the spacing behaviour of birds rather than by nectar production or other factors. Within years, nesting by these residents was positively correlated with temporal variation in production of nectar‐energy and 90% of nesting occurred when the estimated average amount of energy available in the heathland per pair exceeded that required to support parents and young. Most nesting and the highest nectar production consistently occurred between April and July.