Anthochaera phrygia
The Regent Honeyeater is called “regent” because of the black and gold colours of the British Prince Regent who subsequently ascended the throne as George IV. It is a nationally threatened species whose numbers have declined dramatically throughout its range due to habitat loss and degradation. It is a rare visitor to the woodlands of the ACT region, usually attracted by flowering Yellow Box or suburban ironbarks. It also feeds on nectar from grevilleas and mistletoes but must compete with the larger and more aggressive Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Friarbirds.
The few records for this bird are spread throughout the year and are insufficient to suggest any trend. The one breeding record in the survey is of a dependent young at Gungahlin in January 1994. Several breeding efforts have been recorded over recent years near Mt Majura and at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve but these were not part of the Garden Bird Survey. R=154. BR= 88.