TopFamily
Pardalotidae
Genus
Pardalotus
Species
punctatus
Threats/Control Methods - Regional
Their native woodland habitat is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community due to land clearing for urban development and agriculture, grazing, firewood collection and weed and pest invasions. In areas where Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala ) are present, the Spotted Pardalote is less likely to be found.
Threats/Control Methods - Local
Within the suburbs, domestic pets and other aggressive introduced species threaten Spotted Pardalotes.
Local/Urban Actions
The preservation of large areas of suitable woodland habitat is key to the survival of this species. Residents are encouraged to help protect the woodlands around the ACT by not collecting firewood, by removing weeds from gardens and by joining in local conservation efforts by community groups such as Landcare, or by participating in activities with Greening Australia. Pardalotes will also use nest boxes successfully for breeding, placed between 1-9 meters up. An entrance diameter of 4cm and an inside diameter of 13cm is recommended in a horizontal nest box with a 30cm tunnel entrance. Ensure the nest box is visible and pest birds such as Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis ) or Starlings (Sternus vulgaris) are not using it.
Common Names
Spotted Pardalote, Headache bird, Yellow-rumped Pardalote, Diamond Bird
Distinguishing Features
The Spotted Pardalote is a small 9cm bird. The back, crown, wings and tail are black with white spots. It has a thick white eyebrow and chestnut rump. Males have a bright yellow throat and underbelly, while females have a cream throat and yellow instead of white spots on the crown.
Survey Techniques
Call and visual identification.
Species Call
Three repeated notes, the second two notes of a higher pitch.
Similar Species
The related Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus ) has a striped head rather than spotted and less markings on the back and wings.
TopDistribution
The Spotted Pardalote can be found in almost all parts of NSW, VIC and TAS. Its range also spreads to the coastal regions of QLD south of Cooktown, SA and southwest WA.
Country of Origin
Australia
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional
Their population numbers are stable (COG).
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National
Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.
LSCCES Population
The highest numbers were recorded at the ANU and CSIRO, with none found in Turner or Civic West.
Associated vegetation community
The Spotted Pardalote is mostly found in eucalypt forest and woodland but occurs in parks and gardens with well-established eucalypt canopy.
Limiting Resources
The species requires a high density of eucalyptus trees for food foraging. Areas must have complex vegetation layers, including thick shrubs, logs and ground cover.
Breeding
The Spotted Pardalote builds chamber-like nests at the end of low tunnels, usually in thick vegetation. A clutch size is usually 4, needing 19 days incubation and then 21 days in the nest. Both parents share the nesting responsibilities. In the Canberra region, the breeding season begins with nest inspecting and building in early July, with nests being most active in October.
Behaviour
The Spotted Pardalote is common in Canberra's urban areas due to the high density of eucalypts. Nests have sometimes been found in carpet rolls and garage roll-a-doors.
Functional Group
Food Species
The Spotted Pardalote forages on the foliage of trees for insects and the sugary pruducts from leaves and psyllids (cicarda-like insects).
Predators
The low-lying nature of their nests puts their young at risk of predation from Cats (Felis catus) and Dogs (Canis familiaris).
Interesting Fact
The Spotted Pardalote is sometimes known as the "Headache Bird" because of the continuous "sleep-may-be" calls it gives during the breeding season.
References - (reader suitability of references, P=Primary teachers, S=Secondary students, T=Tertiary students and researchers)
Books:Delgale, J. 1997. Attracting Birds to your Garden in Australia. New Holland Publishing. NSW. P, S, T
Freudenberger, D. 2001. Bush for the birds: Biodiversity enhancement guidelines for the Saltshaker Project, Boorowa, NSW. Consultancy report to Greening Australia ACT and SE NSW Inc. CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. Canberra. S, T
Simpson and Day. 1993. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Forth Ed. Penguin Books. Victoria. Australia P, S, T
Pizzey, G. 2000. The Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney. P, S, T
Veerman, P. 2003. Canberra Birds: A report on the first 21 years of the garden bird survey. Philip Veerman and Canberra Ornithologists Group. Canberra. S, T
Internet: Birds in Backyards. 2006. [online]. Available at:http://www.birdsinbackyards.net P, S, T
Canberra Ornithological Group (COG). 2004. Birds of Canberra Gardens. COG and the ACT Department of Urban Services. [online]. Available at:http://garden.canberrabirds.org.au/ P, S, T
Online Publications:Environment ACT. 2006. Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland (An Endangered Ecological Community). ACTION PLAN No.10. [online]. Available at:http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/13428/actionplans10.pdf S, T
Nix, H. and Cunningham, R. 2006. Birds of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment, Canberra ACT. Prepared for the Life in the Suburbs project using data from the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (LSCCES). Australian National University. Canberra. [online]. Available at: http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.com.au/category.php?id=65 S, T
Olsen, P. et al. 2005. The State of Australia's Birds 2006: Invasive Species. Supplement to Wingspan 16:4. Birds Australia. [online]. Available at: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/soab/SOAB2006.pdf S, T