For several years I had the very real pleasure of being one of many volunteers helping with the supplementary feeding program for Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeaters.
The photograph above clearly shows the ‘helmet’ of feathers that distinguishes the Helmeted Honeyeater from other sub-species of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater.
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater group was formed in 1989 when there were only fifty of these exquisite little honeyeaters left in the wild. Now I believe there are around two hundred in the wild, with re-vegetation and captive breeding programs helping to steadily increase their numbers.
During the breeding season the supplementary feeding program includes mealworms which the adult birds feed to their youngsters. Throughout the year they are given a specially formulated Wombaroo mix suitable for honeyeaters.
I’m sharing HeHo photographs this week as I received an email from the friends’ group about their annual fundraising drive. If you’d like to know more you could check Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater or donate at https://www.givenow.com.au/wingsofhope
The work of the recovery team and the friends group is truly remarkable.
I’m honoured to have been invited to open Melbourne Camera Club’s All Creatures Great and Small photography exhibition – I will share more about it next week but wanted to let you know the dates just in case you are free that weekend.
Happy birding, Kim
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[…] I had the honour of opening the Melbourne Camera Club nature exhibition last night. What a fabulous group attended, and what stunning images graced the walls. I have three of my favourite images on display among almost ninety others. The exhibition is open for this weekend only. Please see last week’s post for more details: Critically Endangered Honeyeaters […]
Beautiful photos and well done to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to keep these little beauties flying. It’s great to see how quality photography can be used to help these campaigns. Congratulations re the launch! Xo
I love the way you’ve worded this Alyssa, they really are little beauties and it’s wonderful that they are still flying.
Hi Kim,
Such beautiful birds! I’m so happy to read about the success (so far) of the breeding program, thanks to the amazing work of the recovery team, and yourself. Your pictures are stunning!
A few years back, I wrote a novel title No Freedom for the Heart, which features the Helmeted Honeyeaters. In fact the story finishes with the old man encountering these beautiful birds. Hopefully, one day, that will be possible!
Cheers, Liz
Hi Elizabeth, I have just searched for your book online and will get a copy from the library. The ending of your story sounds beautiful, I hope it becomes possible too!
Critically endangered hurts my head and my heart. Huge thanks to those who work so tirelessly to remove that ugly label.
Stunning photos – and I am unsurprised that you have been invited to open the exhibition. Congratulations, have fun, and I look forward to seeing and learning more.
The recovery team and its supporters are such a vibrant, hardworking group EC. I wish all endangered creatures had such a good support, and that clearing and pesticides were consigned to history.
Incredible, thank you for sharing
My pleasure Nicky, I’m glad you like them
Absolutely beautiful photos of these spectacular birds Kim!
I’m so glad you like them Juliann. They really are wonderful birds.