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 (Trichosurus vulpecula), two exotic predators, the cat (Felis catus) and brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), and a native herbivore, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).