Binos up to spot critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters over Kurri Kurri 

Conservationists are encouraging the community to dust off the binoculars and join the search for newly-released Regent Honeyeaters near Kurri Kurri in the Lower Hunter Valley. 46 critically endangered zoo-bred birds were released through a partnership between Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council, the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, BirdLife Australia and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, with the shared goal of bolstering the numbers of the drastically low wild population of this iconic woodland bird species. 

Once widespread across south-eastern Australia, the striking yellow, black and white Regent Honeyeater has declined dramatically due to habitat loss, fragmentation and reduced availability of flowering woodland resources. As few as 300 birds are estimated to remain in the wild.

The release forms part of a long-term recovery program that combines conservation breeding, habitat restoration, cultural stewardship, scientific monitoring and community engagement to help rebuild wild populations, all overseen by a national Regent Honeyeater Recovery Team. 

"Welcoming Regent Honeyeaters back to Country is more than conservation – it is culture, connection and healing, strengthening our responsibility to Country for generations to come,” said Tara Dever, CEO, Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council. 

"We're proud to bring our community on this conservation journey, from kindergarten-aged children learning alongside our conservation partners to local families connecting with the wildlife that shares this landscape.” 

The release site was carefully selected for its high-quality woodland habitat and access to critical food resources that support the birds as they establish themselves in the wild. 

"Recovering the Regent Honeyeater takes a coordinated effort across government agencies, conservation organisations, land managers and local communities. Releases of zoo-bred birds help strengthen wild populations while complementing habitat protection and restoration efforts across New South Wales,” said Dr Kim Maute, NSW Saving our Species Project Coordinator, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Chair of the recovery team. 

BirdLife Australia will continue monitoring the released birds to help track their survival, movements and breeding success but are calling on local communities to take part in the citizen science element to report sightings of any Regent Honeyeaters. If you’re lucky enough to see a Regent Honeyeater in the wild, please report your sighting using the BirdLife Australia contact form – along with any photos and other details such as visible leg bands. 

"Birding is one of Australia's fastest-growing hobbies and every birder can contribute to Regent Honeyeater conservation; in fact, we need birders to find our birds! Every reported sighting of a Regent Honeyeater helps us better understand how these birds are faring. It is conservation powered by community and anyone can get involved," said Mick Roderick, Regent Honeyeater Recovery Advisor at BirdLife Australia and co-chair of the recovery team. 

Taronga's Regent Honeyeater team works year-round to breed and prepare the released birds for life in the wild. The process begins with careful genetic pairing during breeding season, followed by specialised song tutoring to help young birds learn the songs they will need to communicate and find mates in the wild. Before release, the birds are also housed in large, mixed-species environments that encourage natural behaviours and help prepare them for survival in their native habitat. 

"Each Regent Honeyeater released today represents over 30 years of dedication from conservationists, scientists, keepers and partners working together to save this species from extinction," said Monique Van Sluys, Wildlife Conservation Officer, Taronga Conservation Society Australia.  

"While breeding endangered species is an important part of the solution, the real measure of success is seeing these birds return to the wild, breed and help rebuild a thriving population." 

The release is part of the national recovery effort for the Regent Honeyeater and builds on decades of conservation work aimed at restoring the species across its former range. 

As the birds settle into their new environment, tracking teams will continue monitoring their progress, gathering information that will help guide future recovery actions and support the long-term survival of this uniquely Australian species.