Regent honeyeater conservation

This project is focused on the prevention of the extinction of the critically endangered regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), and to protect and improve their habitats.

Once a flocking bird that ranged from Victoria through to Queensland, the species is now concentrated in NSW and some border areas. With only an estimated 200 to 400 birds remaining in the wild, the collaboration to preserve and bolster the regent honeyeater population has never been more important.  

Key threats include bushfires destroying critical habitat and population numbers, reduction of genetic diversity, native predators such as possums, land clearing, fragmented or modified landscapes in critical habitat areas and climate change.

The project aims to:

• increase the number of successful nesting events within known breeding habitats
• release captive-bred birds to increase regent honeyeater numbers
• support recovery efforts for future successful breeding events at selected work site habitats by nest detection and protection
• conduct cultural burning to support habitat restoration
• improve habitat through pest and weed management 
• an increase in awareness and active community participation through a citizen science monitoring program in restoration and monitoring activities