Tiny, short-tailed bird with a thin, slightly upturned bill.
NSW: Vulnerable; VIC: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilySittellas
SizeTiny
RarityCommon
HabitatInhabits woodlands, where usually seen in small flocks that methodically clamber along tree trunks, probing for insects in bark.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from August to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Peter Boesman
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
49353approx records
7states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Yellow eyering in all plumages, but different subspecies vary tremendously in plumage, ranging from black-headed to white-headed, streaked and unstreaked; in flight all, show prominent pale wingstripe.
Behavior
Inhabits woodlands, where usually seen in small flocks that methodically clamber along tree trunks, probing for insects in bark. Birds give frequent “chip-chip” call as they forage.
Gallery
Regional timing
Victoria
New South Wales
Western Australia
Queensland
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory