Regent Honeyeater

Xanthomyza phyrigia

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Taronga Zoo participates in the multi-agency Recovery Team for Regent Honeyeaters. The aim of this project is to ensure the species persists in the wild, to achieve a down-listing from endangered to vulnerable by securing habitat and to increase reporting rates on the species.

Taronga has contributed to this program through maintaining the Regent Honeyeater studbook, research in six honours programs, increasing community awareness and involvement and maintaining a captive population to provide adequate stock and improve breeding and husbandry techniques.

Regent Honeyeaters Chiltern Release

It’s Spring Fever for released Regent Honeyeaters

26 Sep 2008

At least one pair of zoo-bred Regent Honeyeaters are incubating eggs, with at least four other nests being built by other pairs just four months since they were released at Chiltern in Victoria.

There have also been several positive interactions between wild and ex-Zoo Regent Honeyeaters which may lead to mixed pairs forming this coming breeding season, hopefully leading to chicks.

Update From The Field

6 June 2008

Reports from the field, one month after release, have brought great news.

Transmitters on 19 of the 28 birds released are still working and confirmed daily sightings of these birds have proved they are flourishing in their new home.

Transmitter battery life is limited so we will soon lose electronic contact with the birds, but not before a mass of invaluable information has been collected.

Regent Honeyeater breeding program soars

8 May 2008

With only an estimated 1500 Regent Honeyeaters left in the wild, the release of twenty eight birds from a successful regional breeding program is well timed.

Taronga Zoo in partnership with wildlife agencies manages a vital breed-for-release program for this endangered species.