Yellow Wattlebird - Ecology

Ecology

Yellow wattlebirds feed on the nectar of eucalypts and banksias, fruit, insects, spiders, honeydew and manna.6 They forage from all levels of the canopy from the ground to the top of the trees.7 However, the blossoming of eucalyptus trees can be highly irregular in time and place causing considerable changes from year to year in the breeding distribution of yellow wattlebirds which rely on the nectar from the eucalyptus trees as a main source of food4. Therefore, the most likely threat to the yellow wattlebird is unusual climatic conditions that can reduce food availability suddenly.6 Also, it is important to note that yellow wattlebirds have been found to be pollinators of eucalyptus trees by carrying pollen in both their bills and head feathers.1