Resource partitioning and competition in honeyeaters of the genus Meliphaga

Abstract Six species of Meliphaga studied in detail in South Australia all differ in some important aspect of their ecology consistent with the concept of interspecific competition. Four species are very similar in their feeding ecology but show distinct habitat preferences. The two remaining species are rather different in their feeding ecology and frequently overlap with their congeners in habitat. Two other species, not studied in detail, also appear to have distinct habitat preferences. One species has increased its range of habitat on Kangaroo Island, in the absence of potential competitors. The case for interspecific competition playing a part in the moulding of the niches of species in this genus is thus strengthened.