The Forty-spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) is one of Australia’s smallest birds, measuring 9 to 10 cm in length and weighing approximately 10 g. Beautifully coloured olive green with pale yellow around the eye, cheek and on the rump, their black wings are lined with characteristic white spots.

Forty-spotted Pardalotes only occur in lutruwita / Tasmania, and historically were found in lowland forests of white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) in eastern Tasmania and on King Island. They have now largely disappeared from these locations and survive primarily on Maria Island and Bruny Island.

White gum is critical to their survival and provides most of their food in the form of manna, a sugary secretion which they stimulate from the branchlets using their hooked beaks. Pairs breed in tree cavities and actively defend their territories during the breeding season. As threats escalate including pressure for space and resources, survival becomes an ever daunting task for this precious little bird.