Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)

Conservation status: critically endangered

Do we ever consider the bird’s point of view, perched as it can be, about to launch into extinction?

What price a song? Wild Regent Honeyeater populations have so diminished that young birds are no longer learning their songs accurately. This can harm breeding outcomes. Some success has been recorded recently in special ‘tutoring’ programs at Taronga Zoo.*

Sadly, I have not seen one of these beauties. Photos from books and the web formed the foundation of my drawings.

* Appleby, D., Langmore, N.E., Pitcher, B. et al. Rescue of the traditional song culture of a critically endangered songbird. Sci Rep 16, 11058 (2026).