Spotted Pardalote investigating cavity in mortar in brick wall.
Photo: Holly Parsons © Holly Parsons
Spotted Pardalote, with nesting material in its beak.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Pardalotus punctatus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Spotted Pardalote
Scientific name: Pardalotus punctatus
Family: Pardalotidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
- Top 40 bird songs
What does it look like?
Description
The Spotted Pardalote is a tiny bird that is most often high in a eucalypt canopy, so it is more often detected by its characteristic call. The wings, tail and head of the male are black and covered with small, distinct white spots. Males have a pale eyebrow, a yellow throat and a red rump. Females are similar but have less-distinct markings.
Similar species
The related Striated Pardalote, P. striatus, has a striped head rather than spotted, and lacks the spotting on the wings and has a plainer back.Where does it live?
Distribution
The Spotted Pardalote is found in eastern and southern Australia from Cooktown in Queensland through to Perth in Western Australia. It occurs in coastal areas, extending to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in the east.
Habitat
The Spotted Pardalote is mostly found in eucalypt forests and woodlands but occurs in parks and gardens with well-established eucalypt canopy.
Seasonal movements
Largely sedentary, but may undergo local seasonal movements away from higher elevations in autumn/winter.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Spotted Pardalote forages on the foliage of trees for insects, especially psyllids, and sugary exudates from leaves and psyllids.
Breeding
The Spotted Pardalote's nest is an enlarged, lined chamber at the end of narrow tunnel, excavated in an earth bank. Sometimes they nest in tree hollows and occasionally in artificial structures. Both parents share nest-building, incubation of the eggs and feeding of the young when they hatch.
Living with us
Living with humans
The Spotted Pardalote remains relatively common in urban areas that have a high density of eucalypts. Nests have sometimes been found in carpet rolls and garage roll-a-doors.
Urban habitat requirements
A high density of eucalypts.
References
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Rowland, P. 1996. A Photographic Guide to Birds of Australia. Australian Museum/New Holland.
Higgins, P.J. and J.M. Peter (eds) 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.