18 Helmeted Honeyeaters released into Yellingbo

18 Helmeted Honeyeaters bred at Healesville Sanctuary were released into Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve recently; 5 on 17/9/14 and 13 on 25/9/14.

They join 90+ Helmeted Honeyeaters, plus 9 current fledglings from the 2014-15 breeding season.

Unbanded Helmeted Honeyeater - image B.Tardif

Colour leg bands, Helmeted Honeyeater - image B.Tardif

Do you live next door to Yellingbo NCR or Bunyip State Park? You may see Helmeted Honeyeaters on your property. If you do, please let us know.

Taking a photo is a great way to help us identify the bird you see. Does it have coloured bands? is it unbanded? Check out the images to see what we mean - the bands are on the legs.

Contact us here.

Would that be a LBP or a Sugar Glider?

Lowland Leadbeaters Possum - remote camera image

Lowland Leadbeaters Possums (LBPs) are critically endangered - only 40-60 remain in the wild and they are only known to exist at Yellingbo. They occupy the same habitat as Helmeted Honeyeaters at Yellingbo, as evidenced here, captured on a remote camera in June 2014.

Sugar Gliders are a similar size, and also live within Yellingbo NCR.

Sugar Glider - remote camera image

How can you tell the difference? Check out the tails. LBP's have club shaped tails (narrower at the base where it meets the body, and thinner at the tip of the tail). Sugar Gliders' tails are widest where it joins it's body and thinner at the end.