The Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) is one of Australia’s largest and most beautiful butterflies. It plays a valuable pollinator role in the rainforest ecosystem.

Once widely distributed along the east coast of Australia, today it is only found in isolated pockets causing inbreeding that is threatening its very survival.

Habitat loss through the clearing of its native larval food plant, the birdwing vine (Paraistolochia praevenosa), and invasions of poisonous weeds, are the main reasons for its drastic decline.

Rainforest Rescue is committed to the recovery of this important sub-tropical rainforest species through the planting of birdwing vines within south east Qld and northern NSW.

Our projects establish corridors that allow the natural migration between isolated pockets of sub-tropical rainforest habitat.