Flock-size matters for critically endangered regent honeyeaters

New research from the ANU shows the need for urgent action to boost the flock sizes of the critically-endangered regent honeyeater. The regent honeyeater was once abundant across southeastern Australia, but fewer than 400 remain in the wild, putting the bird more at risk of extinction than the giant panda or Sumatran rhino. Lead researcher Ross Crates said of all the critically endangered birds in Australia, the regent honeyeater was the most likely to suffer from reduced survival and nesting success when they live in small flocks. "When regent honeyeater numbers are low, the birds get chased from the best feeding spots by bigger birds and defending their nests becomes harder," said Mr Crates, a PhD scholar from the Fenner School of Environment and Society. "It is vital to restore the habitats of these endangered species, because until we do this, their chances of recovery will be slim." Mr Crates said urgent conservation action needed to be taken if the species was to be saved. He said the tactical release of captive-bred birds could help boost flock sizes. "When there are only a few birds trying to breed, we need to release captive-bred birds in areas where the wild birds are still present," he said.