This stunning bird’s colourful wing is at risk of becoming a lost sight. Photo: Richard Gregson.
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On September 7, 1936, the last known Tasmanian Tiger died at Hobart Zoo.
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In its memory, National Threatened Species Day was established, to raise awareness about the importance of conserving Australia’s unique biodiversity.
Observed annually on September 7, this day serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable loss of the Tasmanian Tiger and the ongoing threat to many of Australia’s native species.
Today, much of the precious local wildlife that makes their home in the Goulburn Broken Catchment teeters on the edge of risk of extinction, underscoring the criticality.
One such species is the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater.
The Regent Honeyeater is characterised by its beautiful black and gold lace-patterned feathers.
While the bird certainly has the look of royalty, gold-patterned wings glinting as it perches high up in the trees of the Goulburn Broken Catchment, its status has taken a fall.
The rare gem could become a lost beauty due to habitat loss, Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said.
“Today only several hundred Regent Honeyeaters remain, so any form of habitat loss is catastrophic,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“Reduced habitat means many animals and birds are forced to occupy smaller and overlapping territories where they must compete for dominance and resources at the expense of the more vulnerable species, such as the Regent Honeyeater.”
The Regent Honeyeater is just the tip of the iceberg.
“The Regent Honeyeater is a flagship species, meaning conservation actions undertaken for this bird benefit a suite of threatened and declining woodland fauna such as the Swift Parrot, Superb Parrot, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Squirrel Glider and Painted Honeyeater,” she said.
Birdlife Australia’s Regent Honeyeater Recovery Team and hundreds of volunteers are working hard to save this beautiful bird.
For more than 25 years, the team has worked with the community, landholders and agencies, to make significant changes across the Lurg, Winton and Benalla landscapes for of Regent Honeyeaters and other woodland birds.
The Regent Honeyeater’s eye-catching, bright visage. Photo: Glen Johnson
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To learn more about the project and to find out how you can get involved, visit regenthoneyeater.org.au/
To learn about other threatened species in our catchment and Goulburn Broken CMA’s work to help save them, follow Goulburn Broken CMA on Facebook and/or Instagram.
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