Some Observations of Foraging and Social Behaviour of the Striped Honeyeater in South-western New South Wales

Abstract

Observations were made of foraging and social behaviour of the Striped Honey eater Plectorhyncha lanceolata in Black Oak and mallee woodland in the semi-arid south-west of New South Wales during July 1993. Foraging took place almost entirely on the foliage, flowers and branches of six species of tree. These foraging observations provided no obvious explanation for the unusual bill of the species. A variety of social interactions was observed, belying reports of its solitary nature, and a group of at least ten and possibly fifteen birds was larger than any reported previously.