It’s always interesting to observe what birds feed on, especially during the breeding season.
Chasing Rainbowbirds yesterday, I was distracted by a pair of Striated Pardalotes, tending a nest almost within reaching distance of where I was standing. The pardalotes were unperturbed by my presence, making repeated visits to the nest tunnel, situated in an earthen bank. Their favoured prey consisted of Flower spiders Diaea sp. (Family Thomisidae), that were being collected from the foliage of a nearby Cootamundra Wattle. These tiny, lime green spiders ambush their own prey by sitting motionless amongst flowers and leaves.
Striated Pardalote with a bill full of flower spiders, Newstead Cemetery, 27th December 2013.
In …
and out!
A close-up view of the pardalote’s home delivery!
Pardalotes feed mainly on lerp gleaned from the surface of leaves, but consume a variety of other small insects from the foliage of eucalypts and wattles.
Good Pics Geoff.
Harley and I visited the Newstead cemetery this morning and had good sightings of the Pardalotes and Rainbow Bee Eaters. Both such colourful birds.
That’s great to hear Lyn – there is no better place to be on a sunny summer morning!
Best wishes to you and Harley for 2014.
Cheers, geoff
Amazing photos. Lisa
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