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Hooded Robin

(Melanodryas cucullata)
Alternative names: "Black-and-white Robin", "Black Robin", "Pied Robin"
Size: 15-17 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are four races of Hooded Robins - for details see a field guide. All together they populate most of the Australian continent, with only a few exceptions. They are not found in the most arid parts, such as the Nullarbor, parts of the Great Victoria Desert and the Gibson Desert, the Simpson Desert, Cape York and the coast of QLD and the far north of NSW, plus the south coast in VIC. They also avoid small coastal areas from far northern WA to the NT.

Hooded Robins can usually be found in dry forest, often around the fringes, hunting in more open, grassy areas. They are also present in mallee and other types of scrubland.

Sightings

Although at first glance a bit similar to Willie Wagtails, Hooded Robins were one of the first bird species identified by us at our former neighbour's property, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, in 2005. There they are permanent residents.

Also seen regularly at a property 30 km north of Coonabarabran, NSW, on the southern edge of the Pilliga scrub.

Not seen by us yet in the area east of Narrabri (Eulah Creek, Bullawa Creek, Deriah Forest, Mt. Kaputar National Park).

Photos