Aust birds    Bird names   News   1-26    Habitats    Key plants    Glossary    Plumage    Nests    Tips    Thumbnails    Gen. info    Sponsors    Photos for sale   
NON-PASSERINES     1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10     11     12     13     14 15     16     17     18     19     20     21     22     23     24     25     26     PASSERINES
Common names sorted alphabetically: A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   W   Y  

17

Striated Pardalote

(Pardalotus striatus)
Alternate name(s): "Striated Diamond-bird", "Pickwick", "Wittachew", "Chip-chip"; race "striatus": "Yellow-tipped Pardalote"; races "ornatus", "substriatus", "uropygialis": "Red-tipped Pardalote"; race "melanocephalus": "Black-headed Pardalote"
Aboriginal name(s): Race "substriatus": "bilyabit"*, "widopwidop"* (WA)

Size: 9.5-11.5 cm
Weight: 9-15 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Striated Pardalote at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here .

Race "striatus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote "striatus" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)


[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, March 2016]

Race "substriatus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)

Near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" with its feathers ruffled (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Close-up lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus"
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2016]

Close-up lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus"
[Near Narrabri, NSW, August 2019]

Close-up dorsal view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus"
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, March 2009]

Close-up dorsal view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" collecting nesting material
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2016]

Pair of Striated Pardalotes "substriatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote, race "substriatus"; this bird does not have pure juvenile characteristics any longer (the yellow bib is developing and the cap is not dull brown any longer), but the pale-yellow gape clearly indicates that it is not an adult either
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote, race "substriatus"; this bird does not have pure juvenile characteristics any longer (the yellow bib is developing and the cap is not dull brown any longer), but the pale-yellow gape clearly indicates that it is not an adult either
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2021]

Adult Striated Pardalote, race "substriatus", with two dependent juveniles - these are the birds whose begging calls were recorded on 4 October 2019
[Near Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2019]

Race "ornatus"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up full-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote "ornatus" (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2018]

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote issuing its call (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2018]

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote "ornatus" (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2018]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "ornatus" (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2018]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "ornatus" with food for its chick; try as we might, we could not find the young bird that we heard responding to the adult's calls
[Dangars Lagoon, near Uralla, NSW, January 2011]

Near-dorsal view of a Striated Pardalote "ornatus" (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay South, East Gippsland, VIC, September 2018]

Race "melanocephalus"

ADULT

PAIR

Near-lateral view of a p air of Striated Pardalotes (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2013]

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote issuing its call
[Whittaker's Lagoon, NSW, June 2012]

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Frontal/ventral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Hillview Court Reserve, Dayboro, QLD, May 2020]

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote with its wings spread (photo courtesy of T. Allison)
[Mooloolah River NP, Sunshine Coast, QLD, June 2013]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Reserve, QLD, April 2018]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead Reserve, Anstead, QLD, March 2017]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Near-lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Close-up lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a Striated Pardalote issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Dayboro, QLD, July 2023]

Close-up near-dorsal/ventral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Reserve, QLD, April 2018]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote in flight, inspecting a house wall for potential prey
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, June 2014]

Races "melanocephalus/substriatus"

In the area where we live, in inland north-western NSW, three races of Striated Pardalotes overlap: ornatus, substriatus and melanocephalus. This can lead to observations of hybrids, as shown here.

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal portrait of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Near Armidale, NSW, September 2013]

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote; note how the black cap indicates race "melanocephalus", while the striated pattern around the eyes and the wing markings show the influence of race "substriatus"
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, May 2013]

Frontal view of a Striated Pardalote
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2010]

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2012]

Near-frontal view of a Striated Pardalote ; again the black cap indicates race "melanocephalus", while the striated pattern around the eyes and the wing markings show the influence of race "substriatus"
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Lateral view of a nosy Striated Pardalote
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2012]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[5 km east of Armidale, NSW, September 2013]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Juvenile Striated Pardalote melanocephalus/substriatus
[January 2008]

Juvenile Striated Pardalote approaching a waterhole
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, January 2009]

Lateral view of a juvenile Striated Pardalote from underneath
[Deriah Aboriginal Area, NSW, December 2012]

Juvenile Striated Pardalote begging for food
[Eulah Creek, NSW, February 2009]

Lateral view of a fledgling Striated Pardalote; one can see that the bird's plumage is still partly downy
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2012]

Race "uropygialis"

Sexing Striated Pardalotes of race "uropygialis" in the field, and even from photos, is difficult. For an attempted explanation, click below.

Click here for sexing information

ADULT

MALE

Full-frontal view of a male Striated Pardalote "uropygialis"; note the solid-black cap (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Near-frontal view of a male Striated Pardalote "uropygialis" - note the solid-black cap (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Near-frontal view of a male Striated Pardalote "uropygialis" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Victoria River Roadhouse, NT, July 2020]

Lateral view of a male Striated Pardalote "uropygialis" (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Lateral view of a male Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

Lateral view of a male Striated Pardalote "uropygialis" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Victoria River Roadhouse, NT, July 2020]

Partly obscured lateral view of a male Striated Pardalote; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 19 February 2018 (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a male Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, WA, April 2018]

Ventral view of a male Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, February 2018]

FEMALE

Pair of Striated Pardalotes, race "uropygialis"; female above - note the grey cap (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Frontal view of a female Striated Pardalote, race "uropygialis", with its head turned - note the grey cap
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Lateral view of a female Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Sex unknown

Near-frontal/ventral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Artemis Station, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a Striated Pardalote (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Artemis Station, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Striated Pardalote "uropygialis" (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2017]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 3 - 4 Incubation period: 14 - 16 days Fledging age: ca. 21 - 28 days

In the tropical North of Australia Stritaed Pardalotes breed during the dry season.

These two Striated Pardalotes are getting "into the mood"
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2012]

Lateral view of a Striated Pardalote collecting nesting material (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[5 km east of Armidale, NSW, September 2013]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tunnel or hollow with basket Material: Bark strips, grass Height above ground: 0 - 10 m

Striated Pardalotes not only build their own nests, but have also been observed by us recycling other species' nests. Usually they use horizontal branches, but also various substitutes, such as pipes.

There is a separate page describing the dissection of a Striated Pardalote nest.

Entrance to a Striated Pardalote nest tunnel (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Striated Pardalote leaving its nest tunnel (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Overview of the location of the above Striated Pardalote nest tunnel in the cut-out sandbank of an eroded beach
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Striated Pardalote right outside its nest tunnel (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, April 2021]

Striated Pardalote at the entrance of its nesting hollow in an ironbark eucalypt tree
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2008]

This Fairy Martin nest (the one with the bottle shape right at the centre) was re-used by a pair of Striated Pardalotes; an attempt to photograph a bird when entering or leaving failed due to bad light under the overhanging rock
[Dripping Rock, near Maules Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Striated Pardalotes can be very crafty when it comes to selecting the right nesting hollow (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Striated Pardalote entering its nesting hollow (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

This Striated Pardalote is entering its nesting hollow in a vertical creek bank
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2014]

Striated Pardalote leaving its nest tunnel to dispose of a poo sac discharged by a chick (photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy)
[Near Townsville, QLD, August 2016]

Striated Pardalote bringing food for its chicks (photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy)
[Near Townsville, QLD, August 2016]

Striated Pardalote nest in a gravelly bank (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer, Darwin, NT, July 2014]

Striated Pardalote "substriatus" collecting nesting material (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Mt. Kaputar NP, NSW, July 2013]

Threads of palm leaves (although not native to Australia) are highly appreciated by many species, including Striated Pardalotes, as material for lining their nests
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Close-up lateral view of a Striated Pardalote "substriatus" collecting nesting material
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2016]

Two Striated Pardalotes investigating the potential of a steep bank for building a nest
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2012]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size:18 x 15 mm Colour: White Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Migratory/dispersive Elementary unit: Pair

Striated Pardalote extending its body, making full use of the resonance produced in its thorax to intonate a strong call
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, NT, June 2020]

Food, Diet

Striated Pardalotes forage through the foliages of trees for small insects. They are often credited with the title "Saviour of the trees" and the photo below gives an example why - note the lerps the bird has in its bill.

Striated Pardalote with a good haul of lerps; they do not only eat these sugary secretions, but also the leaf-eating insects producing them - psyllids
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2010]

Striated Pardalote foraging in a eucaypt tree; its target are the white spots (lerps of psyllids )
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2012]

Striated Pardalote looking around
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2012]

Gotcha! Striated Pardalote with its prize
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2012]

Two Striated Pardalotes seen by us looking for insects on the ground, under a tree infested with psyllids
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2012]

Striated Pardalote beating a caterpillar to death before devouring it (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, June 2013]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

strpard_20180516.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls © MD
strpard_20170817.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls © MD
strpard_20170920.m4a substriatus
(W NSW)
Contact calls (Q&A) © MD
strpard_20210424.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls (Q&A) © MD
strpard_20141016_2.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls & feeding calls © MD
strpard_20190816.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls + feeding calls (Q&A) © MD
strpard_20151008.mp3 substriatus
(NW NSW)
Alarm call? (human near nest) © MD
strpard_20190310.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Feeding call © MD
strpard_20210424_2.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Feeding calls © MD
strpard_20191004.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
Begging calls (2 juveniles) © MD
strpard_20220410.m4a substriatus
(NW NSW)
? © MD
strpard_20140925.mp3 substriatus
(NW NSW)
? © MD
 
strpard_art_20140411.m4a melanocephalus
(SE QLD)
Contact calls © ART
strpard_20151003.mp3 melanocephalus
(NW NSW)
Contact calls © MD
 
strpard_pb_20180219_2.m4a uropygialis
(Top End, NT)
Contact calls (male) © PB
strpard_pb_20180603.m4a uropygialis
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) © PB
strpard_pb_20180603_2.m4a uropygialis
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) © PB
strpard_pb_20180503.m4a uropygialis
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (male) © PB
strpard_pb_20180503_3.m4a uropygialis
(Top End, NT)
Territorial calls (2 competing males) + Bar-shouldered Dove © PB

More Striated Pardalote sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site?
If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.