Striated Pardalote
I have tried for a couple of years to capture this little one. The Striated Pardalote is only 9.5-11.5cm in size. No wonder it has taken me so long to find. Their colors are absolutely beautiful in both the very early morning and day light. Their other names are Pickwick, Wittachew and Chip-chip. I really enjoyed taking these photos using natural light early in the morning right on the bank of a river, this little one perched on a limb overhanging the river slightly and he had early morning sun rays highlighting his beautiful features
They breed from June -Feb with the female laying 2-5 eggs. The nest is made of bark fiber, rootlets and fine grass, and placed in tree hollow or in a burrow in a river bank. Both the female and male incubate and care for the young
Striated pardalotes feed on insects and insect larvae. They usually do so in the high foliage of eucalyptus trees, but may come closer to the ground where there are lower shrubs. Feeding takes place in small groups.
The habitat they prefer eucalyptus forest and woodlands,scrub lands,river red gums, mallee, mulga,other dry scrubs, rain forests, mangroves roadsides, gold courses, parks, and gardens. They are found in all parts of Australia except for some of the Western Australian deserts
I really enjoyed my photo shoot with this gentle little bird early in the morning. I also have some great photos taken in good light so will do another post up with these as well. Dedicated to all the Australian Fauna and Flora lost in the 2019/2020 bush fires