Evidence for Frugivory by Birds in Montane and Lowland Forests in South-east Australia

Abstract

French, K. 1990. Evidence for frugivory by birds in montane and lowland forests in south-east Australia. Emu 90, 185–189. Fruit consumption by birds in forests near Healesville, Victoria was determined in 1987 and 1988 by analysing faecal samples of trapped birds. Evidence of frugivory was found in the faeces of 18 species of birds and a further three species were observed eating fruit. Five species of birds consumed large quantities of fruit during autumn while most birds appeared to supplement their basically insectivorous diet with small quantities of fruit. Of the nine common species of plants that produced fleshy fruits during the study, only six were evident in faeces. Some non-fleshy fruits were also eaten. Most species defaecated seeds intact; however, Crimson Rosellas were identified as the only seed predators.