Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00777:body:0:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00777
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 12263–15306

Australia's honeyeaters. Its diet mainly consists of mistletoe fruits, but also includes nectar (from flowering mistletoe, eucalypts and possibly banksias) and arthropods, especially in the non-breeding season (Higgins et al. 2001; Garnett et al. 2011). Arthropods are an important part of the diet provided to nestlings (Barea and Watson 2007; Barea 2008a; Barea and Herrera 2009).

             The species inhabits mistletoes in eucalypt forests, woodlands, riparian woodlands
             of Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) and River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis), box-ironbark- yellow gum woodlands, acacia-dominated woodlands, paperbarks, casuarinas, callitris,    and trees on farmland or gardens. The species prefers woodlands which contain a higher number of mature trees, as these host more mistletoes. It is more common in wider blocks of remnant woodland than in narrower strips (Garnett et al. 2011), although it breeds in quite narrow roadside strips if ample mistletoe fruit is available.

             Studies have confirmed that habitat areas which have undergone less fragmentation and land clearing may support a greater number of Painted Honeyeaters present (Oliver et al. 2003). Painted Honeyeaters have also been found to be more abundant in locations where there are a large number of trees present and a high percentage of canopy cover (Oliver et al. 2003).

                   Breeding biology
              The species often occurs singly or in pairs, and less often in small flocks. Breeding occurs from October to March when mistletoe fruits are widely available. Usually 2-3 eggs are laid, and both parents incubate the eggs, brood and feed young (Barea 2008b; Higgins et al. 2001; Garnett et al. 2011; Barea 2012).

              The species builds a flimsy cup nest made of plant-fibre, spiders' webs and rootlets in the outer foliage of trees anywhere from 3 m to 20 m above the ground. Although Painted Honeyeaters build nests in a variety of tree species including Eucalyptus spp., many favour Yarran (Acacia homalophylla) and White Cypress-pine (Callitris glaucophylla),  both of which are hosts of the hemiparasitic Grey Mistletoe (Amyema quandang)        (Barea 2008a; Barea 2012).

              Male Painted Honeyeaters generally arrive at the nesting site several weeks before the female. Both sexes leave around the same time about 5 months later when mistletoe berry numbers begin to decline (Barea and Watson 2013). Although the fruit is available all year, it is more plentiful over the warmer months, and dwindles as the temperature drops (Barea and Watson 2013).

              Painted Honeyeaters use environmental cues to determine the timing of nesting ensuring that they arrive at sites as food resources are beginning to increase (Barea and Watson 2007; Barea and Watson 2013). The overlap of breeding activity with mistletoe fruiting has additional benefits, as Painted Honeyeaters often display a preference to nest near or amongst mistletoe (Barea and Watson 2007; Barea and Watson 2013).