The varied sittella is a small songbird native to Australia. About 10–11 cm long, it is also known as the Australian nuthatch, orange-winged sittella and the barkpecker.
Region
Australia
Typical Environment
Widespread across much of mainland Australia, especially in eucalypt woodlands, open forests, and mallee. They also use riparian timber and lightly wooded farmlands with mature trees. They avoid dense rainforest and treeless deserts, favoring areas with rough-barked trees that shed flakes. Groups range over territories and move nomadically when local conditions change.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Australian nuthatch or orange-winged sittella, it is not a true nuthatch but has evolved similar bark-foraging habits. Small, fast-moving groups creep along trunks and branches, often head-down, prying insects from under bark. They often breed cooperatively, with helpers assisting at the nest. Nests are neat cups disguised with bark flakes and placed high in eucalypts.
D. c. leucocephalaLaceys Creek, SE Queensland
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating, darting flights between trees
Social Behavior
Typically found in small, tight-knit groups that forage cooperatively along trunks and branches. Many populations exhibit cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting a breeding pair. The cup nest is placed high on a branch or in a fork and camouflaged with bark flakes and spider silk.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched chips and twittering contact calls given frequently as the group moves. Song is soft and rapid, more a continuous chatter than a melodious phrase.
Plumage
Variable among subspecies; generally grey to brownish upperparts with paler, lightly streaked underparts and contrasting orange wing panels. Tail often shows a dark subterminal band with white tips. Some forms have a black or dark cap and more strongly patterned faces.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders taken from bark crevices and under flaking bark. It gleans and probes, often hanging sideways or upside down to reach prey. Occasional small forays capture flushed insects.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the trunks and larger branches of eucalypts and other rough-barked trees. Prefers older trees with loose bark and dead limbs where insects are abundant.
