Improving reproductive success of forty spotted pardalotes

Name: Codi
Price range: $

Bruny Island

Parasites can be devastating for small or declining populations of wildlife.

This 2020 study demonstrated that assisting the forty-spotted pardalote with 'self-fumigation' of their nests had the potential to improve breeding success ten-fold.

The study authors provided forty-spotted pardalotes with insecticide treated feathers with which to line their nests. The pardalotes used these feathers to build their nests, and it resulted in a ten fold improvement in reproductive success.

Forty Spotted Pardalote Kim Murray — Forty Spotted Pardalote. Image: Kim Murray

'Self-fumigation' of nests by an endangered avian host using insecticide-treated feathers increases reproductive success more than tenfold.

This article by F.Alves, N.Langmore, R.Heinsohn and D.Stojanovic was published in Animal Conservation in July 2020. The article can be viewed or downloaded here or the original article can be viewed in Animal Conservation

Dr Tonia Cochran

Dr Tonia Cochran is a zoologist, experienced naturalist and owner of Inala Nature Tours.

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Parasites can be devastating for small or declining populations of wildlife.

This 2020 study demonstrated that assisting the forty-spotted pardalote with 'self-fumigation' of their nests had the potential to improve breeding success ten-fold.

'Self-fumigation' of nests by an endangered avian host using insecticide-treated feathers increases reproductive success more than tenfold.