A 16-year-old male Helmeted Honey-eater has defied all odds by living three times longer than the average male and is now the oldest wild bird of this species on record.
Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenostomus cassidix)
Note: Yellow Tuft or ‘Helmet’ at the frons or front of head in this species. A sub species of the (non-threatened) Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, this species is distinguished by a slightly longer tail, darker plumage and the distinctive yellow helmet. It’s call (to my ears) was similar to a Yellow -tufted though I am told it’s call is slightly stronger by comparison.
The male hatched at Cockatoo Swamp at Yellingbo in mid-November 1994 and was re-sighted earlier this year in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.
DSE Senior Ornithologist Bruce Quin said this was such an exciting discovery considering the Helmeted Honeyeater, Victoria’s bird emblem, is critically endangered nationally and listed as Threatened in Victoria.
“Helmeted Honeyeaters born in the wild at Yellingbo usually have a shorter life span. Females have a life expectancy of around 4.44 years and males of about 5.73 years,” Mr Quin said.
“This bird, born in the wild, has already survived for three times longer than the estimated average life span despite the species being critically endangered.”
The bird was tagged as a nestling, enabling scientists to identify him. The bird is 16 years and four months old.”
“We were a bit worried that he had died late last year because we hadn’t seen him for a couple of months,” Mr Quin said. “But he showed up again in the last few months and we are hoping he is still out there.”
In May this year 11 captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters were released into the Bunyip State Park. Most years since 1995 captive bred Helmeted Honeyeaters have been released into to the wild in the hope of boosting the wild population.
A recent count shows there are about 75 Helmeted Honeyeaters living in the wild at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve, south of Healesville, and at Bunyip State Park.
DSE works with Zoos Victoria, volunteers from the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeaters, Friends of Bunyip State Park, Parks Victoria and students to monitor and research the breeding patterns, survival and ways to support the captive bred and wild populations at Yellingbo and Bunyip State Park.
This program, which began in 1989, is also supported by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and continues today.
The Victorian Government has a responsibility under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act to protect threatened species. These animals and plants contribute significantly to the biodiversity of their ecosystems. The knowledge we acquire about these species helps us to then take the on-ground steps needed to ensure their survival.
Links
- Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeaters: www.helmetedhoneyeater.org.au
- ZOOs website: www.zoo.org.au/Conservation/Programs/Australian/Helmeted_Honeyeater
- Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmeted_Honeyeater
- Parks Victoria: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
- DSE website: www.dse.vic.gov.au
