From the Parks Victoria Facebook page:
Parks Victoria The first documented, successful breeding from a captive bred and wild Regent Honeyeater has occurred near Chiltern. The female captive bred bird, released over 18 months ago, is the sixth of forty four released birds to be confirmed alive this season. The bird had not been recorded since shortly after the release date in May 2010.
The successful fledging of a chick on private property close to Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park ticks the final box of the breeding and release program. It has demonstrated the potential for captive bred birds to integrate and add new genes to the greatly diminished wild populations.
Ten days after fledging the young bird was observed taking nectar from blossom for the first time. (Brian, Ranger)
Hi Philip,
I think that it is not about “new good genes”. It is more like the opposite: “old good genes” and fewer “new bad genes”. Due to inbreeding in a small population you can accumulate bad genes/mutations in a relatively short period of time. This can be (partially) avoided by mixing individuals from different populations.
Cheers,
Nikolas
Great news Paul!
Interestingly, this follows on from another superb event regarding this species – a male Regent Honeyeater that was recorded breeding at Eagle Point in Gippsland (Vic) in late 2009 (noteworthy in itself), has been re-recorded (by Carol Probets, along with two keepers from Taronga Zoo) in the Capertee Valley!
This is the longest recorded distance movement for Regent Honeyeater (from over 600-banded birds), flying 584 km as the crow/Regent Honeyeater flies since it was banded. It raises an interesting questions about the birds flight path.
Further to this, the bird was also recorded breeding in the Capertee!
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
________________________________________ Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:10 PM
From the Parks Victoria Facebook page:
Parks Victoria The first documented, successful breeding from a captive bred and wild Regent Honeyeater has occurred near Chiltern. The female captive bred bird, released over 18 months ago, is the sixth of forty four released birds to be confirmed alive this season. The bird had not been recorded since shortly after the release date in May 2010.
The successful fledging of a chick on private property close to Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park ticks the final box of the breeding and release program. It has demonstrated the potential for captive bred birds to integrate and add new genes to the greatly diminished wild populations.
Ten days after fledging the young bird was observed taking nectar from blossom for the first time. (Brian, Ranger)