Unlike most wattlebirds this bird lacks the visible wattles hanging from its cheeks. It is about 30 centimetres long, with blue eyes, mostly dark grey-brown above with white streaks, and a paler grey with white streaks below.

Where

Although not the most colourful of birds themselves, little wattlebirds love colourful flowers so they are easy to find. Look for them amongst banksia and grevilleas in heath thickets. Good places to spot them are on the headland walks and near the Cape St George Lighthouse.

Feeding

Little wattlebirds feed mainly on nectar, probing deep into the flowers with their long brush-tipped tongues. You may also see them perching to grab berries and seeds or occasionally catching insects in mid-air.

Breeding

Normally the female builds the nest, messily constructed from twigs, grass and down and concealed in a tree fork. She incubates the nest alone, but both sexes care for the young chicks.

Sounds

Like most wattlebirds, little wattlebirds are quite noisy with a loud ‘chock’ and a distinctive good tackle good tackle call.