Vic birds brace for winter chills

Victoria's endangered Helmeted Honeyeaters have made a comeback, but this winter could be a big test for their survival.

They are the only bird indigenous just to Victoria, so they should be used to winter chills.

But this cold season will be a big test for the Helmeted Honeyeater.

The honeyeaters have been quietly making a comeback from near-extinction in Melbourne's eastern outskirts, thanks to a three decade-long Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning program.

Their population is now past 130, the highest in decades.

However, ELWP Senior Ornithologist Bruce Quin says winter presents a survival challenge - especially for the babies.

"These young ones will need even more food to keep their weight on and stay warm at night, hoping for enough swamp gum nectar which is their ideal winter food," he said.

"Helmeted honeyeaters use June-July to establish territory for the upcoming breeding season which can start as early as August and runs to January."

Helmeted Honeyeaters are listed as a threatened species in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Act, and as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.


Share

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world