Little Wattlebird

Anthochaera chrysoptera

A feisty songbird with a big attitude, this Aussie native turns gardens into lively concert halls with its raucous calls.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Little Wattlebird is a medium-sized honeyeater with a distinctive appearance. Its plumage is primarily brown and grey, with streaked patterns on the body and a pale patch on the belly. The bird lacks the fleshy wattles characteristic of other wattlebird species.

Adults have a long, curved bill and a brush-tipped tongue adapted for nectar feeding. Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly duller plumage and less defined markings.

Size

Length

25cm to 30cm

Wingspan

35cm to 40cm

Weight

55g to 75g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Yellow

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Little Wattlebird can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Little Wattlebird can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Little Wattlebird can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Little Wattlebird is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Little Wattlebirds are endemic to Australia, found along the eastern and southern coasts from Queensland to South Australia, including Tasmania. They inhabit various woodland environments, including coastal heathlands, eucalyptus forests, and urban parks and gardens.

While primarily sedentary, some populations may undertake local movements in response to the flowering patterns of food plants. They are common in many Australian cities and adapt well to urban environments with suitable native vegetation.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Wattlebird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons