Vic birds brace for winter chills

They are the only bird indigenous just to Victoria, so they should be used to winter chills.

But this cold season will be a big test for the Helmeted Honeyeater.

The honeyeaters have been quietly making a comeback from near-extinction in Melbourne's eastern outskirts, thanks to a three decade-long Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning program.

Their population is now past 130, the highest in decades.

However, ELWP Senior Ornithologist Bruce Quin says winter presents a survival challenge - especially for the babies.

"These young ones will need even more food to keep their weight on and stay warm at night, hoping for enough swamp gum nectar which is their ideal winter food," he said.

"Helmeted honeyeaters use June-July to establish territory for the upcoming breeding season which can start as early as August and runs to January."

Helmeted Honeyeaters are listed as a threatened species in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Act, and as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.