Can Australian honeyeaters recognise the odours of native and exotic predators?

This study investigated the ability of Australian honeyeaters to recognise and respond to native and exotic predators. We used a new experimental approach using scented and unscented bird baths to test whether honeyeaters (Meliphagidae) respond to the odours (faeces) of a native predator, the brush-tailed possum (<em>Trichosurus vulpecula</em>), two exotic predators, the cat (<em>Felis catus</em>) and brown rat (<em>Rattus norvegicus</em>), and a native herbivore, the koala (<em>Phascolarctos cinereus</em>).