pardalote

/pahr"dl oht'/, n.

any of several tiny, short-tailed Australian songbirds of the genus Pardalotus, having short bills and most having brilliant plumage with gemlike specks on the dark upper parts. Also called diamond bird.

[ < NL Pardalotus (1816) < Gk pardalotós spotted like a pard, deriv. of pardális pard]

* * *

▪ bird

also called  diamondbird  

 any of four species of Australian songbirds (songbird) of the family Pardalotidae (order Passeriformes (passeriform)), with a simple tongue and a thickish, unserrated bill. Three of the four species have gemlike white spangles on the dark upper parts (the striated pardalote [Pardalotus striatus] does not). All pardalotes are tiny and stub-tailed. Pardalotes glean insects (insect) from leaves (leaf) and bark. They nest in tree holes or in crannies of buildings. The spotted pardalote (P. punctatus), with a yellow throat and rump, digs tunnels in sandbanks or in level ground.

Sy Montgomery

 

* * *