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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Meliphagidae
  4. ›
  5. Anthochaera
  6. ›
  7. Regent Honeyeater
Regent Honeyeater
Photo · (c) Nathan Ruser, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Regent Honeyeater

Anthochaera phrygia(Shaw, 1794)

Updated 11 June 2026

Conservation status: Critically EndangeredOrigin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Anthochaera

At a glance

The Regent Honeyeater is a medium-sized bird, about 20–24 cm long, listed as Critically Endangered and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
20–24 cm
Conservation status
Critically Endangered
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Regent Honeyeater look like?

The Regent Honeyeater is a medium-sized bird, about 20–24 cm long and weighing 33–46 g.

The regent honeyeater is a critically endangered bird endemic to southeastern Australia. It is commonly considered a flagship species within its range, with the efforts going into its conservation having positive effects on many other species that share its habitat. Recent genetic research suggests it is closely related to the wattlebirds.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
20–24 cm
Weight
33–45.5 g
Wingspan
30 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Regent Honeyeater?

The Regent Honeyeater is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Julie Overton · Kitchener NSW 2325, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Regent Honeyeater eat?

The Regent Honeyeater feeds on fruit, nectar/pollen and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Regent Honeyeater live in Australia?

The Regent Honeyeater is endemic to Australia, recorded across 22 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-east QLD to central VIC (south-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

6 regions recorded