Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus)
Red-browed Pardalote

Red-browed Pardalote

Pardalotus rubricatus

The Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus) is a small, vibrantly colored passerine bird, a native treasure of Australia. This species is a gleaning specialist, adept at foraging primarily in eucalypt trees. The Latin name 'rubricatus' aptly describes the bird's striking orange-red eyebrow, a distinctive feature among its otherwise varied plumage.

Identification Tips

Adult Red-browed Pardalotes are relatively large for their family, with an average length of 105 mm and a wingspan of 60–66 mm. Males and females are similar in weight, around 10.9g and 10.8g respectively. They do not exhibit seasonal changes in plumage and are not sexually dichromatic. Key identification features include a pale iris, a black crown with white spots, a yellow to buff supercilium, and a yellow breast patch with yellow wing panels. Juveniles are generally paler with a duller crown and a dull orange-yellow brow.

Habitat

The Red-browed Pardalote inhabits a wide range of environments, from woodlands and shrublands to tropical and semi-arid regions. They show a preference for eucalypt woodlands near watercourses, such as riparian river red gum and coolibah woodlands, as well as tall eucalypt shrublands like mallee.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across north and central Australia, extending to south and south central Western Australia, northeast South Australia, and southwest New South Wales. They are also found in the Great Sandy, Gibson, and Great Victoria Deserts.

Behaviour

Red-browed Pardalotes are sedentary birds, often seen singly, in pairs, or small groups. They are arboreal, spending much of their time in the foliage of eucalypt trees. Their foraging territories are maintained throughout the year.

Song & Calls

The call is a distinctive five or six note song, with the first note longer and lower pitched, followed by notes that increase in pitch and speed. Males call periodically between feeding to announce their territory from a sheltered perch within the tree canopy.

Breeding

Breeding occurs between July and December, and after rainfall in arid zones. Pairs are monogamous and maintain breeding territories. Both sexes participate in excavating a tunnel and nesting chamber in various locations, including sandy banks and gullies. Nests are constructed from bark and fine grass, and a clutch of up to four white, oval, semi-glossy eggs are laid.

Similar Species

The Red-browed Pardalote can be distinguished from other pardalotes by its larger size, distinctive eyebrow, and the lack of seasonal or sexual variation in its plumage.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of insects and lerps gleaned from leaf surfaces with their 'scoop-shaped' bill. Lerps, the exudates of psyllids, are a major food source, providing sugar and carbohydrates. They also consume various arthropods, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and vegetable matter.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Red-browed Pardalote as Least Concern. It is common throughout its range, and the population is considered stable.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Red-browed Pardalotes on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Pardalotes

A photo of a Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) , male

Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus punctatus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.