This is the Spotted Pardalote – the Painted Dot of the Eucalyptus Forest. One of Australia’s tiniest and most dazzling birds, the Spotted Pardalote looks like it flew through a starry night. Its black wings and back are speckled with neat white dots, while the crown shines with metallic blue, and its rump glows fiery red. Despite its brilliance, it’s often hidden high in eucalyptus canopies. These birds feed on lerps — sugary casings left by sap-sucking insects — playing a quiet but important role in forest health. Their calls are soft, simple "wheet-wheets," often heard before they're seen. Spotted Pardalotes nest underground — tunneling into sandy banks or tree hollows to raise their young in cozy, grass-lined chambers. Loyal pairs work together, both feeding the chicks. Tiny, patterned like fine beadwork, and surprisingly elusive, the Spotted Pardalote is a secret jewel of the treetops and earth.