Both the Spotted Pardalote and the Striated Pardalote are common in our area. I've had recent sightings at Blackbutt Reserve and also at Seaham wetlands.
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Pardalotes are one of Australia's smallest birds, measuring from 8cm to 10cm in length.
Because of this they can be hard to find. One of the best ways to do this - especially during breeding season - is by their constant, distinctive call .... it has been described as sounding a bit like "sleep-may-be".
Spotted paradalotes have a preference for nesting in the ground or in earthen banks, but they also like a nesting hole in paper barks.
The nest itself is 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.
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The Spotted Paradalote is the more attractive of the two birds - its bright colours make it stand out.
They are very tame little birds and if you stand still they will come very close.
They foriage in the tree foliage for insects, and breed from June through to January.
because they will come relatively close, photographing them is a simple affair, and images can be taken with long or short lens. Shutter speed depends on whether your subject is static or flying.
