Helmeted Honeyeater

The Moonlit Sanctuary at Pearcedale is a great place to get some close-up views of the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix.

The Helmeted Honeyeater is a sub-species of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. It is endemic to Victoria and was made one of the faunal emblems of our state in 1971.

The bird is listed as critically endangered in both the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act of Victoria and the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act due principally to loss of habitat and subsequent decline in genetic diversity.

The single remaining population of little more than 200 birds exists in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve in the Yarra Ranges (in 1990, the number of wild birds was as low as 50). 

A recovery program which began in 1989, has helped sustain and build this population with the release of captive-bred birds (see Zoos Victoria link below).

Dense riparian vegetation is the preferred habitat of the Helmeted Honeyeater. They feed on nectar, lerp and invertebrates and like to nest in swampy tea tree, prickly currant bush and paperbarks.

Further links:

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater

DELWP Threatened species – Helmeted Honeyeater

DCEEW Threatened Species Strategy – Helmeted Honeyeater pdf

Zoos Victoria – Recovery video