Last legs.

Last legs.

The regent honeyeater is one of Australia most endangered birds and arguably most spectacular honeyeater.

A nomadic lifestyle and dependence on flowering trees on fertile soils has led to a major reduction in suitable habitat as more bushland is cleared for forestry or agricultural areas.

This bird was one of about 15 in the Castlereagh area in western Sydney at present (I saw them yesterday 27/6/09). They are feeding in one of the last big stands of Mugga Ironbark in the Penrith area. Much of the large tree stand on the semi rural areas nearby the state forest. As Sydneys urban sprawl increases the land will become housing. Regent honeyeaters will no longer be part of the Sydney basin.

With less than 2000 wild birds it seems unlikely the species will make it to the next century. Some efforts with captive breeding and replanting may help the recovery of this magnificent species.

Last legs. belongs to the following groups:

!$ I LOVE BIRDS !, Animal Kingdom, Australian Bush ☼ (aspects of realistic views - ie N0 Abstracts or Macros please!), Australian Wildlife, Birds and Creatures of Flight, Endangered Species, National Parks of the World & Great Parks Of The World, Nature's Wonders, New South Wales Photography and The Birds Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints and Laminated Prints