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Varied Sittella

(Daphoenositta chrysoptera)
Alternative names: "Tree-runner", "Nuthatch", "Barkpecker", "Woodpecker";
Note: Includes "Black-capped Sitella", "White-winged Sitella", "White-headed Sitella" and "Striated Sitella"
Size: 11-13 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are five races of Varied Sittella in Australia; for details see a field guide. Altoghether, their range extends over most of the Australian continent, with only a few exceptions. Varied Sittellas are not found in the most arid parts of Australia, i.e. in the Nullarbor, the Simpson Desert, the Gibson Desert and an area to the north of Tennant Creek, NT.

Varied Sittellas are mostly found in sclerophyll forest and open woodland.

Sightings

The nominate race "chrysoptera" was sighted by us on a winter's day in June 2005 on the property where we lived at the time, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, when a group of five birds worked its way down the bark of a group of cypress pine trees searching for insects.

The next sighting came almost 3 years later, in April 2008, 30 km east of Narrabri, on the edge of Mt. Kaputar National Park. Again, the downward motion while foraging in trees was noted, which is different to that of all treecreepers. Seen in the same area in August 2008 and in January 2009. Again spotted in October 2010, 15 km east of Narrabri.

Photos

Race "chrysoptera"

Although slightly unsharp, here an almost frontal view of a Varied Sitella

Lateral view of a Varied Sitella 30 km east of Narrabri

View from behind

Some acrobatics...

.. and some more

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial? Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Family clan

While foraging in trees, Varied Sittellas move down tree trunks, head first, as opposed to treecreepers, which forage from the base of a tree upwards, also facing upwards.

Food

Varied Sitellas probe tree bark for small insects and spiders.