The world’s oldest helmeted honeyeater celebrated his 21st birthday at Healesville Sanctuary.

Charles Henry’s keepers made him a ‘cake’ using his favourite flowers to mark the milestone on Wednesday 5 December.

Most helmeted honeyeaters only live to about 15 years old.

The helmeted honeyeater is the only bird found solely in Victoria and is the state’s bird emblem.

Zoos Victoria is part of the broader Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Team working together to bring the stunning bird back from the brink of extinction.

Its captive breeding program works to supplement the wild population through an annual release of captive-bred birds.

Healesville Sanctuary visitors can spot the rare birds in the Fighting Extinction aviary.