Regent Honeyeater
Anthochaera phrygia
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Regent Honeyeater is a striking medium-sized bird with distinctive black and yellow plumage. Its head, neck, and upper breast are black, contrasting with bright yellow panels on the wings and tail. The lower breast and belly display intricate scalloped patterns of pale yellow and white.
Both sexes have similar plumage, though females may be slightly duller. Juveniles are browner with less distinct markings. The bird's face has a unique warty texture, giving it a characteristic appearance.
Size
Length
20cm to 24cm
Wingspan
30cm to 35cm
Weight
35g to 50g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black Yellow
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Regent Honeyeaters are endemic to south-eastern Australia, primarily found in New South Wales and Victoria. They inhabit dry eucalypt woodlands and forests, particularly those with abundant nectar-producing trees like ironbarks, box eucalypts, and yellow gum.
Their distribution is patchy and varies seasonally based on flowering patterns. Key breeding areas include the Capertee Valley in New South Wales and the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park in Victoria.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Regent Honeyeater. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Regent Honeyeater displays remarkable agility, performing complex acrobatics to reach flowers and moving swiftly through the canopy. Their ability to fly over 100 km (around 62 miles) in search of food also suggests high manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a medium-sized bird weighing between 35-50 grams, the Regent Honeyeater has moderate strength. While capable of defending territories against other honeyeaters, they're not particularly powerful compared to larger bird species.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable, these birds are nomadic and follow flowering patterns across different elevations up to 1,000 metres. Their diverse diet of nectar and insects, along with their ability to mimic other bird calls, demonstrates significant adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
During breeding season, Regent Honeyeaters become quite aggressive, fiercely defending nectar-rich feeding areas from other honeyeaters and even larger birds. However, this aggression is seasonal and context-specific.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their nomadic lifestyle, flying long distances in search of food, indicates considerable endurance. The ability to travel over 100 km between flowering eucalyptus trees suggests they can sustain extended periods of activity.
Diet
Regent Honeyeaters primarily feed on nectar from eucalyptus and mistletoe flowers. They supplement their diet with insects, especially when feeding young.
These birds have a brush-tipped tongue specially adapted for nectar feeding and can perform complex acrobatics to reach flowers.
Behaviour
Regent Honeyeaters are highly nomadic, following the flowering patterns of their preferred eucalyptus trees. They are often seen foraging in the canopy, moving quickly between flowers.
These birds can be territorial during the breeding season, fiercely defending nectar-rich feeding areas from other honeyeaters and even larger birds.
Vocalisation
Regent Honeyeaters have a diverse vocal repertoire. Their calls include soft, bell-like notes, harsh chattering, and melodious warbling songs. They often mimic other bird species, incorporating these sounds into their own vocalisations.
During the breeding season, males sing complex songs to attract mates and defend territories.
Nesting & Breeding
Regent honeyeaters breed from August to January, coinciding with the flowering of key eucalyptus species. During this time, they form monogamous pairs. They construct cup-shaped nests from bark strips, grasses, and spider webs, typically placed high in a eucalyptus tree.
Females usually lay 2-3 pale pink eggs with reddish-brown spots. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 14 days. The nestling period is approximately 16 days.
After fledging, young birds remain dependent on their parents for several weeks. Breeding success is often low due to nest predation and competition for resources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Regent Honeyeater is critically endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Intensive conservation efforts are underway, including captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and community engagement initiatives. Every sighting is crucial for monitoring this species' recovery.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Regent Honeyeaters in flowering eucalyptus trees, particularly ironbarks and box eucalypts
- Listen for their distinctive bell-like calls and harsh chattering
- Search in small flocks, especially during non-breeding season
- Check known breeding sites in spring and summer
- In Australia, join organised surveys to contribute to conservation efforts
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Warty-faced Honeyeater, Embroidered Honeyeater
Family:
MeliphagidaeAverage Lifespan
5 years
Max Lifespan
10 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include birds of prey such as goshawks and currawongs, as well as introduced mammals like cats and foxes. Nest predators also include possums and snakes.
Did You Know?
- Regent Honeyeaters can fly over 100 km (around 62 miles) in search of flowering eucalyptus trees.
- They play a crucial role in pollination, carrying pollen over long distances between isolated tree populations.
- The species' population has declined by over 80% in the last three generations.
Similar Birds
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Anthochaera phrygia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22704415A130992272.
View source - 2 3
report, 2011: Garnett et al.
- 4
website: ABBBS - Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme
View source
Share Your Feedback
We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.