Striated Pardalote

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

Measuring 9 to 12 centimetres, this tiny, short-tailed bird is more often heard than seen as it forages in the high canopy. It features an olive-grey back and a bold white eyebrow that begins with a bright yellow patch near the bill. While plumage varies across its vast range, adults show a distinctive white stripe along the black wing, marked by a small, brilliant red or yellow wing-spot. Southern and western populations typically have a black crown with fine white streaks, whereas northern and eastern birds often have solid black crowns. The sexes are similar, though juveniles are noticeably duller with less distinct head markings. The voice is a loud, repetitive, and musical two- or three-note call, commonly described as “witta-witta” or “chip-chip,” with the second note dropping slightly in pitch. These metallic, piercing calls are a constant feature of eucalypt woodlands, often accompanied by soft, low trills while foraging. Extremely active and acrobatic, Striated Pardalotes spend their time gleaning lerps and insects from the undersides of leaves, often hanging upside down to reach foliage. They usually move in pairs or small family groups, though they can form large flocks outside the breeding season. Flight is swift and direct between treetops. Unlike many small birds, they nest in tree hollows or by excavating tunnels into earthen banks and creek lines. They are abundant across almost any habitat with eucalypts throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, from urban gardens to arid mallee. Tasmanian populations are migratory, flying across Bass Strait to spend winter on the mainland. The species is distinguished from the Spotted Pardalote by its streaked, rather than white-spotted, crown and its lack of a spotted back. The Red-browed Pardalote of the north and interior is separated by its red, rather than yellow, brow spot and the absence of a white stripe along the wing.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   White eyebrow with yellow loral spot

   A crisp white supercilium starts with a bright yellow loral spot just above the bill.

2. 02

   Bold white stripe on folded wing

   A single, broad, white stripe runs along the edge of the primary feathers, contrasting sharply with the dark wing.

3. 03

   Small red or yellow wing spot

   A small, bright-coloured dot (red or yellow, depending on subspecies) sits at the top of the white wing stripe.

4. 04

   Black crown, often with fine white streaks

   Most populations show fine white streaks on a black crown; some northern subspecies have a solid, unstreaked black cap.