Register      Login
Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > MU > MU07001
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 108(1)

The effects of climate on breeding in the Helmeted Honeyeater

Lynda E. Chambers A F , Bruce R. Quin B , Peter Menkhorst C , Donald C. Franklin D and Ian Smales E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, GPO Box 1289, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.

B Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, PO Box 264, Woori Yallock, Vic. 3139, Australia.

C Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Vic. 3002, Australia.

D School for Environmental Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.

E Biosis Research Pty Ltd, 38 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne, Vic. 3207, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: L.Chambers@bom.gov.au

Emu 108(1) 15-22 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU07001
Submitted: 9 January 2007  Accepted: 15 November 2007   Published: 25 February 2008

Abstract

Climate is known to influence the timing and success of breeding in many bird species. In the northern hemisphere, significant breeding changes have been associated with climate change, with warming temperatures, often, but not always, corresponding to earlier laying. For the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops cassidix) of central southern Victoria, Australia, climate also plays a role in the timing and success of breeding. During the period 1989 to 2006, the timing of laying became earlier and there was a possible reduction in the mean number of eggs laid per breeding season. These changes correspond to a reduction in rainfall and mild warming. If these trends continue under projected climate-change regimes, there will be increased risk of further population decline.


Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Janet Pyke, Jessica Feder, Marian Weaving, Vicky Yuan and Jessica Lloyd for their work on the Helmeted Honeyeater databases. Frank Woodcock and Milos Setek of the Bureau of Meteorology, and the anonymous reviewers, provided helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.


References

Chambers, L. E. , Hughes, L. , and Weston, M. A. (2005). Climate change and its impact on Australia’s avifauna. Emu 105, 1–20.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Menkhorst P. (2007). National recovery plan for the Helmeted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops cassidix. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

Menkhorst P., and Middleton D. (1991). Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Plan. Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.

Norment, C. J. , and Green, K. (2004). Breeding ecology of Richard’s Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) in the Snowy Mountains. Emu 104, 327–336.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Pittock B. (Ed.) (2003). ‘Climate Change: An Australian Guide to the Science and Potential Impacts.’ (Australian Greenhouse Office: Canberra.)

Priddel, D. , and Wheeler, R. (2005). Fecundity, egg size and the influence of rainfall in an isolated population of malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata). Wildlife Research 32, 639–648.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Smales I. (2004). Population ecology of the Helmeted Honeyeater Lichenostomus melanops cassidix: long-term investigations of a threatened bird. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Melbourne.

Sparks, T. , Crick, H. , Elkins, N. , Moss, R. , Moss, S. , and Mylne, K. (2002). Birds, weather and climate. Weather 57, 399–410.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Wykes B. J. (1985). The Helmeted Honeyeater and related honeyeaters in Victorian woodlands. In ‘Birds of Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands: Ecology, Conservation, Management’. (Eds A. Keast, H. F. Recher, H. Ford and D. Saunders.) pp. 205–217. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)