Anthochaera phrygia
Critically Endangered
The Regent Honeyeater, with its striking black and yellow plumage, is a rare gem of Australia's woodland habitats. Once gracing the skies in vibrant flocks, this elusive nectar-feeder now flutters on the brink of extinction, a poignant symbol of the country's natural heritage. Its melodic calls, once a common chorus in the eucalyptus forests, now echo as a reminder of the fragility of our ecosystem and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this critically endangered species.
Males and females have similar plumage
Black
Yellow, White
Black with yellow patches
Medium-length
Black
Grey
Yellow patches on wings and tail, black head and back with white speckles
Black with yellow panels
20cm to 24cm
Length
30cm to 35cm
Wingspan
32g to 50g
Weight
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Complex and melodic
Variety of calls including whistles, buzzes, and chatters
Harsher and more urgent calls
Active during the day, foraging in the canopy
Can be seen alone or in small groups; occasionally joins mixed-species flocks
Defends feeding territories
Nomadic movements in response to flowering events
Sometimes competitive at rich feeding sites
Nectar, Insects
Feeds on nectar from flowers and catches insects in the air or on foliage
Mostly in the morning and late afternoon
Hawking for insects, probing flowers for nectar
Depends on flower blooming periods and insect availability
Relies on certain species of eucalyptus for nectar
Often in eucalyptus trees
Cup-shaped nest made of bark strips, grass, and spider webs
From August to January, peaking in spring
Pale pink with reddish-brown spots
Approximately 2cm x 3cm
Usually 2 eggs
About 14 days
Around 16 days
Both parents feed the chicks
Eastern Australia
Woodlands and open forests, particularly box-ironbark forests
Up to 1000 meters
Nomadic movements in response to flowering events
Forest
Temperate
Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.