‘Red Wattlebird (C)Tim Van Leeuwen 2016 birdlifephotography.org.au’
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Nests are hidden within dense shrubs and tree canopies
Diet: Nectar, fruit and small invertebrates
Water: Frog ponds and bird baths
ReWild Benefit: Pollination and pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Red Wattlebirds build nests within dense shrubs and tree canopies. A garden planted with diverse shrubs including banksias, paperbarks, and bottlebrushes can provide suitable nesting sites.
Birds build their nests with materials collected around the garden including twigs, bark, grass, cobwebs, fabrics, and even pet fur. Clumping grasses and groundcovers in the garden can provide natural nesting materials for nesting birds as well.
Novel Shelter
Not required.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Red Wattlebird feed on nectar, fruit and small invertebrates. Popular plants within gardens include banksias, eucalypts, bottlebrushes, and kangaroo paws.
A garden designed with plants that have different flowering seasons can provide honeyeaters with food throughout the year.
Providing sources of water
Bird baths are popular with local honeyeaters. Some honeyeaters can become territorial and pecking orders between species and individuals can become apparent over time.
Frog ponds and damplands are popular amongst honeyeaters as they provide food, water, and refuge. Deep ponds are hazardous for small birds and partially submerged rocks or logs can provide a safer avenue to exit the water incase they fall in.
ReWild Benefits
Red Wattlebirds pollinate native plants and help to create a more connected ecosystem throughout the landscape. Visit BirdLife Australia to learn more about these native birds and record any sightings via Birdata to help scientists monitor their population.
