The striated pardalote is small but mighty. Photo: Goulburn Broken CMA/Roy Peachey.
Hiding in the hollows, there’s one tiny bird that is louder than most.
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With 2025 declared the Year of the Tree Hollow by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, the tiny creatures that call the hollows home will be featured throughout the year.
You’ll hear the tiny striated pardalote before you see it, with Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith saying the birds were very noisy despite being only eight to 10cm long.
“They loudly pop and peck among the high treetops, gleaning leaves for sugary lerps, sap-sucking psyllids and other tiny insects,” she said.
“Pardalotes rely on small spaces to build a nest and lay their two to five eggs.
“Therefore, small tree hollows or spouts (hollow tree branches) make perfect homes.
“Pardalotes will also nest in holes in eroded riverbanks, mounds of earth, tiny gaps in buildings, power pole junction boxes and even rolled up garage doors.”
Breeding occurs from June to February with the responsibility of raising chicks split between both parents. Together, they build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
The birds need only a tiny hollow to call home. Photo: Goulburn Broken CMA.
Ms Mentiplay-Smith said the birds were mainly homebodies, with studies showing over 90 per cent of them travelled less than 10km.
“Striated pardalotes will inhabit bushland as well as urban areas, so there is plenty of scope to help this little bird,” she said.
“Help by making sure your pet cat is contained at all times, for the safety of all wildlife.
“Exclude livestock from remnant bushland areas to allow natural regeneration to occur and leave fallen timber in situ to provide habitat for pardalotes and other wildlife where they can nest, shelter and feed.”
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