Fauna
Bird

Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus punctatus

Also known as Diamondbird, Spotted Diamondbird, Bank Diamond

Spotted pardalotes spend most of their lives high in the eucalyptus canopy gleaning lerps, the sweet protective casings secreted by psyllid nymphs. Breeding pairs descend to ground level to excavate deep nesting tunnels into earthy banks, railway cuttings, or tree root balls. Their repetitive, bell-like calls ring across southeastern woodlands throughout the spring breeding season.

Canopy DwellerBurrow NesterAustralian Endemic
Spotted Pardalote reference1 / 7
(c) Ian Rainbow, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyLerp Insects, Psyllids, Spiders
Predators
  • Feral Cat
  • Pied Currawong
  • Collared Sparrowhawk
ThreatsHabitat clearing, land degradation, and feral cat predation
HabitatsEucalypt forests, woodlands, coastal scrub, and mallee
Life span4–8 years
Classification
  1. OrderPasseriformes
  2. FamilyPardalotidae
  3. GenusPardalotus
  4. SpeciesPardalotus punctatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listen carefully: Track down their high, bell-like three-note piping whistle in tall eucalypts.
  • Watch earthy banks: Look along road cuttings and creek embankments in spring to spot pairs digging tunnels.
  • Scan outer foliage: Use binoculars to search the tips of sunlit canopy leaves where they feed.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…