Rare Bird Relearns Lost Song

ABC Mid North Coast

Birds

A rare bird was seen at Lake Cathie with little wattlebirds.

A photographer saw a rare regent honeyeater on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.

There are fewer than 300 wild regent honeyeaters left.

The photographer said, 'Is that what I think it is?' He was surprised.

A regent honeyeater is in a zoo.

The bird is singing a different song.

The regent honeyeater was alone and mimicking another bird's calls.

Some regent honeyeaters sing other birds' songs, especially when alone.

Regent honeyeaters used to be common in south-eastern Australia.

Now, most regent honeyeaters are in New South Wales.

Mick Roderick says releasing captive-bred regent honeyeaters is working.

Scientists are trying to save the regent honeyeater's song.

They are having some success.

A regent honeyeater is feeding its baby.

The song is important for the birds to breed and live together.

Joy Tripovich is helping teach young regent honeyeaters their song.

Researchers started teaching the birds their song in 2020.

They played recorded songs and used wild birds to teach the young.

Having a wild bird tutor helps the young birds learn.

A regent honeyeater is in a breeding program.

The researchers improved their teaching method.

Fewer students in a 'class' helps them learn better.

Regent honeyeaters were released in the wild in October 2025.

The birds are being taught a special song called the Blue Mountains Typical.

The wild call is changing and becoming shorter.

The researchers hope the birds will sing the full song in the wild.

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