№ 44 of 100
Regent Honeyeater
Anthochaera phrygia
A gold-embroidered nomad so rare that young males are forgetting the species' own song.
- Range
- Australia
- Region
- Oceania
- Habitat
- Box-ironbark woodland of southeastern Australia
The story
Regent honeyeaters once moved in flocks of hundreds tracking eucalypt blossom; now the survivors are so scattered that wild chicks fail to learn their courtship song, deepening the decline. Zoo-bred birds are taught wild song from recordings before release into restored woodland corridors.
What's killing them
- Loss of 90% of woodland habitat
- Competition from aggressive miners
- Population too sparse to maintain song culture
Who's fighting for them
BirdLife InternationalBirdLife International
Australian Wildlife ConservancyAustralian Wildlife Conservancy
AZA SAFEAssociation of Zoos & Aquariums — SAFE Program
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Quick answers
How many Regent Honeyeaters are left in the world?
Approximately ~250–350 wild. The Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and their population trend is declining. Figures are estimates compiled from the IUCN Red List and conservation organisations.
Where does the Regent Honeyeater live?
The Regent Honeyeater is found in Australia (Oceania). Their habitat: Box-ironbark woodland of southeastern Australia.
Why is the Regent Honeyeater endangered?
The main threats to the Regent Honeyeater are: Loss of 90% of woodland habitat; Competition from aggressive miners; Population too sparse to maintain song culture.
Who is working to save the Regent Honeyeater?
Organisations working on Regent Honeyeater conservation include BirdLife International; Australian Wildlife Conservancy; Association of Zoos & Aquariums — SAFE Program.