The forty-spotted pardalote is one of Australia's rarest birds and by far the rarest pardalote, being confined to a few colonies in the south-east corner of Tasmania, mainly on Maria Island and Bruny Island.
Region
Tasmania
Typical Environment
Occurs in dry eucalypt woodlands dominated by white gum in the southeast of Tasmania. Most strongholds are on Maria Island and Bruny Island, with small, fragmented populations on the adjacent mainland of Tasmania. It forages primarily in the mid to upper canopy, rarely descending to the ground. Habitat quality is closely tied to the health and density of mature white gums that host abundant psyllids.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 400 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of Australia’s rarest songbirds, the forty-spotted pardalote is confined to a few colonies in southeast Tasmania, notably Maria Island and Bruny Island. It is highly specialized on white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), feeding largely on psyllids and their sugary lerps on the foliage. Habitat loss, dieback of white gum, and limited nesting sites have driven declines. Conservation actions include habitat restoration and provision of nest boxes.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs during the breeding season and small family groups at other times. Pairs defend small territories centered on productive white gums. Nests are usually in small natural tree hollows or crevices; both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing. Breeding occurs in austral spring to summer.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft series of high, thin see-see and tsee-tsee notes, often delivered from within the canopy. Calls include rapid ticking contact notes when foraging in groups.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with numerous neat white spots on the crown and wing coverts; underparts pale buff to whitish. Rump shows a slight greenish tinge. Tail is dark with white corners. Overall appearance is subtly patterned and less colorful than other pardalotes.
Diet
Feeds mainly on psyllids and their sugary lerps gleaned from the leaves of white gum. Also takes small arthropods such as scale insects and occasional spiders. Will supplement with manna and other plant exudates when available. Foraging is meticulous, picking items from the underside of leaves and fine twigs.
Preferred Environment
Mid to upper canopy of mature Eucalyptus viminalis stands, especially trees with chronic psyllid infestations. Often forages along foliage-rich branchlets and leaf clusters in open woodland edges and lightly disturbed forest.
