Spotted Pardalote

Overview

The spotted pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) is a small passerine bird native to eastern and southern Australia, weighing approximately 6 grams and measuring 8 to 10 cm in length. Often referred to as the diamondbird due to its spotted plumage, it is one of the most colourful yet elusive of Australian birds.

Identification

• Small bird, 8 to 10 cm long, often difficult to see closely.
• Males have grey-brown upperparts with numerous pale buff spots, a black crown, and white-spotted wings and tail.
• Distinctive white eyebrows and reddish rump (in nominate subspecies) or bright yellow rump (in yellow-rumped subspecies).
• Underparts are pale-buff-cinnamon to ochre, with a demarcated yellow throat and vent in the nominate subspecies; females are duller.

Habitat

Native to the east coast, south-east, and south-west corner of Australia, including Tasmania, at elevations up to 2,000 metres. The yellow-rumped subspecies is found in drier inland regions, particularly in semi-arid Mallee woodlands, while the nominate subspecies inhabits a range from southeastern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia. Numbers appear to be declining, especially in urban areas, though the species is not currently considered endangered.

Did you know?

The bird is colloquially known as the 'headache bird' because of its repetitive 'sleep-may-be' call uttered during the breeding season.