The Little Wattlebird is distributed in coastal south-east Australia round to the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia and in the eastern half of Tasmania. It is found in banksia and eucalypt woodland and scrub where it feeds on nectar and insects.

Despite its name it has no wattles. It is dark brown with fine white streaks above and below. It has a blue-grey or brown eye and it shows a rufous patch on the wing in flight.

Photos 1 and 2 are of the nominate race from south-east Australia while photos 3 and 4 are of the race A. c. tasmanica from Tasmania.