First report of ‘mining’ as a feeding behaviour among Australian manna‐feeding birds

• DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12350
• Publication Date: 2016-01-29T08:19:05Z
• Authors: Samuel B. Case; Amanda B. Edworthy
• Keywords: Myrtaceae

The Forty‐spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus is an endangered songbird endemic to the forests of Tasmania, Australia. Pardalotes forage predominantly in foliage White (or Manna) Gums Eucalyptus viminalis for invertebrates, lerps (the protective coverings produced by psyllids) and manna, a crystallized exudate certain species. Although many Australian birds feed on this study reports first observations actively stimulating manna production rather than feeding it opportunistically. In light these observations, we also compared rates across tree species sizes, quantified relative importance nestling diet. Adult stimulated clipping leaf stalks with their bills, creating small incisions stem surface. We experimentally mimicked behaviour found that, 53.7% E. , flow was released within 3 days. However, none other three common at our sites response same experimental damage. There no effect size . To determine food sources diet, videotaped provisioning trips adults nests surveyed availability territories. Manna most important item, comprising 84.2% identified items provided nestlings, selected over 50 times more frequently expected given its foliage. As miner, bird join number that mine sap or exudates trees. Their preference as source, especially provides explanation species’ specialization only manna‐producing sites. Our results suggest provide critical supply developing restoration will be long‐term viability populations.