Can Genetic Rescue Save This Critically Endangered Songbird?

A team of conservation biologists based at Monash University are collaborating with Zoos Victoria to save the Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix (referred to as cassidix here), from extinction. This small black-and-yellow songbird is distinguished by its characteristic ‘helmet’ of golden feathers atop its head, and is one of four living subspecies of the Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops. The Helmeted Honeyeater is endemic to Victoria and was formally recognized as its official bird in 1971.