This is the critically endangered member of a large family. He’s the Regent Honeyeater, endemic to southeastern Australia. There are 187 species of honeyeaters. This is the one that’s critically endangered. The reason: agricultural development has led to the loss of the kinds of trees and shrubs that produce nectars making up about 85% of the bird’s diet.
There are no hummingbirds in Australia. The honeyeaters, which are the size of cardinals, are as close to a hummingbird as you’ll find there. They have a long, slightly curved bill adapted for getting nectar from plants. They can’t hover, so you see them acrobatically jumping, twisting and turning through shrubs and trees, feeding on the nectar. And with their striking black and gold feathers, they are gorgeous.