David,
Around here on the Atherton tablelands we have a number of bark feeders.
Some birds also seem to specialise in gleaning invertebrates from curled
leaves. These are not always spiders but the larvae of butterflies and moths
also are to be found. Macleay's Honeyeater is a prime feeder in this manner
as are Little Shrike-thrushes. In the debris collected in the leaf bases of
palms and pandanus, Whipbirds and Riflebirds make a good living at certain
times of year. Riflebirds are one of the most conspicuous of the bark
feeders, using their long bills to rip off sections of bark or to probe
beneath them.
Leaf-tailed Geckoes hunt on the bark, gliders rip through the bark for sap
and then there are all the invertebrates which hunt other invertebrates. The
gliders are actually very deft cutters so to refer to them as 'ripping' is a
bit disingenuous. Tapping sap is a delicate operation.
Regards,
Alan
Alan's Wildlife Tours
2 Mather Road
Yungaburra 4884
Phone 07 4095 3784
Mobile 0408 953 786
http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/
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