Forty-spotted Pardalote
Pardalotus quadragintus
The Forty-spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) is a rare pardalot found only in Australia, weighing about 11 g. The forty-spotted pardalote is one of Australia's rarest birds and by far the rarest pardalote, being confined to a few colonies in the south-east corner of Tasmania, mainly on Maria Island and Bruny Island.
About the Forty-spotted Pardalote
The forty-spotted pardalote is one of Australia's rarest birds and by far the rarest pardalote, being confined to a few colonies in the south-east corner of Tasmania, mainly on Maria Island and Bruny Island.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
A small, energetic passerine about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4 in) long, the forty-spot is similar to the much commoner spotted pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus), but has a dull greenish-brown back and head, compared to the more colourful plumage of the latter, with which it shares its range, and there is no brow line. The rump is olive, the under-tail dull yellow. The chest is white with light yellow tints. The wings are black with white tips, appearing as many (closer to 60 than 40) discrete dots when the wings are folded.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Forty-spotted Pardalote?
- A small, energetic passerine about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4 in) long, the forty-spot is similar to the much commoner spotted pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus), but has a dull greenish-brown back and head, compared to the more colourful plumage of the latter, with which it shares its range, and there is no brow line. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Forty-spotted Pardalote?
- The Forty-spotted Pardalote is a tiny sized bird weighing about 11 g.
- Where can you see a Forty-spotted Pardalote?
- The Forty-spotted Pardalote is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Forty-spotted Pardalote?
- The Forty-spotted Pardalote is most easily confused with the Red-browed Pardalote, the Spotted Pardalote and the Striated Pardalote.
- Is the Forty-spotted Pardalote endangered?
- The Forty-spotted Pardalote is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Forty-spotted Pardalote for real
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