Backyard Buddies: Dig in for Winter

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08 Jun 2010

When the going gets cold, the cold get burrowing

As the cold settles in, little pardalotes are digging in for winter. You may see these tiny birds in your garden, along roadsides or in parks and golf courses, getting down and dirty to excavate their nest out of soft sandy soil.

Australia’s Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife’s Backyard Buddies program is all about getting more enjoyment from native animals in your backyard. It provides tips and advice on how to make your backyard a haven for our burrowing buddy.

“While most birds nest high above the ground in the branches of trees, these cheeky little locals prefer to go subterranean.” says Ms Leonie Gale, CEO of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife. “Pardalotes spend most of their time feeding in the canopies of tall eucalypts, making them difficult to see. Right now as they are nesting, they become quite oblivious to our presence, making it an excellent time of year to watch their antics.”

Pardalotes form pairs or small groups of up to six birds during breeding season. The birds carefully select soft strands of grass to line their dug out burrows. The pardalote’s burrow can reach up to 60cm long and the birds vigorously guard them against other pardalotes.

“Pardalotes may take up residence where they aren’t wanted such as in partially built retaining walls, piles of building sand or potting mix in the backyard,” said Ms Gale. “While this can be inconvenient, it’s best not to disturb them. Wait until the birds have raised their chicks to fledging stage, at which time the family will move on and you can get on with your renovations.”

The first indication that these delightful, brightly coloured little birds are nearby is their distinct call that can be heard as they forage for food in the leaf canopy of trees. The Striated Pardalote is nicknamed the “chip-chip bird” due to their persistent chipping call.

“Once spotted, you can identify Striated Pardalotes by their white eyebrows and yellow spot in front of the eye, olive-grey backs, yellow breast and a white stripe in the wing with a red or yellow notch.” explains Ms Gale. “There are other species of pardalotes, including the Spotted Pardalote and the Yellow-Rumped Pardalote: but you’ll need a good bird book to tell them apart!

A few more things about Australia’s Pardalotes

Striated Pardalotes generally form flocks in winter, with the Tasmanian subspecies migrating northwards to escape the cold weather.
Pardalotes are often chased by magpies, drongos and wattlebirds.
Pardalote is a Greek work meaning “spotted”.
Their short blunt bills are adapted for taking scale insects from leaves, their favourite food
The threatened Forty-Spotted Pardalote of south east Tasmania actually has more than 40 spots but few birdwatchers get the chance to count them.

So what else can you do to be a Backyard Buddy to our little Pardalotes?

Pardalotes can be encouraged to breed in your garden by hanging short lengths of hollow plastic piping in trees. These make ideal artificial nests, simulating hollow limbs of trees.
Keep a watchful eye on your dog or cat if you know pardalotes are nesting nearby.
Prevent the clearance of mature eucalpyts as this is their primary source of food.
Leave fallen limbs or logs with cavities that may be used for nesting.

Backyard Buddies: Dig in for Winter

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