The forgotten song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater by Coral Vass. Illus. by Jess Racklyett

The critically endangered Regent Honeyeater is the focus of this new book by two very well-known creatives, Coral Vass and Jess Racklyett. This striking 20-24cm long, black and yellow bird, is native to parts of Eastern Australia but in 2022 it was estimated that there may be only 350-400 left.

The decline of Regent Honeyeater numbers is due in part to loss of habitat and urban sprawl but more significantly, it is the loss of older males of the species who can no longer pass on the mating call to younger males. Without the ability to attract a mate, numbers are declining and are cause for great concern.

This stunningly illustrated story begins with the sounds of songs from many birds but as the bush is decimated by developers, many birds vanish. A young male Regent must begin a search for his song. Along his journey he hears the songs of other species, the fiarbirds, rosellas and currawongs, and wonders if any are his song. Sadly, he cannot make their sounds but eventually he recognises the sound of a ‘sweet song’ from a nesting box and is able to finally sing his song and attract a mate.

The glorious full-page illustrations are a clever mixture of vibrant paint with collaged photographs, articles and paintings from over 100 years ago in order to show how the environment has changed over time. In the final pages are facts, a map, a valuable timeline, glossary and a note from the artiest and image credits. A very engaging book.

Teacher notes are available.

Themes: Australian Bush, Australian Birds, Habitat Loss, Endangered Species.

Kathryn Beilby