Spotted Pardalote

1. Black crown with bright white spots and a completely white eyebrow

2. Bright red patch on the rump (yellow in western populations)

3. Distinctive, repetitive three-note call, with the second and third notes higher than the first, often described as “sleep-may-be” or “weep-weeip-weeip”

Spotted Pardalotes feed mainly on insects, especially psyllids and their sugary lerps, as well as plant exudates. They forage methodically among eucalypt leaves, often hanging upside down to reach their prey. During breeding season (June–January), pairs excavate a horizontal tunnel up to 1.5 meters long in an earth bank, embankment, or even artificial structures, ending in a lined nest chamber. Both parents share nest building, incubation (about 19 days), and chick feeding (nestlings remain for about 21 days). Clutch size is usually 3–4 eggs. Outside the breeding season, birds may form small flocks, sometimes joining mixed feeding parties with other small birds.

Spotted Pardalotes are found throughout eastern and southern Australia, from Cooktown in Queensland to Perth in Western Australia, including Tasmania. They inhabit any area with eucalypt trees, from tall forests to low woodlands, and are also found in parks and gardens with established eucalypt canopy. Although common, they are often overlooked due to their small size and tendency to forage high in the canopy. Look for them in the outer foliage of eucalypts, especially where their distinctive call is heard.