19

Rose Robin

(Petroica rosea)
: "Rose-breasted Robin"
Size: 10-12 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Rose Robins are found along the coastal fringe in the east and south-east of the Australian continent and in the Great Dividing Range. Their range extends from about the Whitsundays, QLD, in the north to the south-eastern tip of SA in the south. They rarely venture out into the semi-arid plains of the interior, but can occasionally extend their range inland by several hundred km, into central QLD and NSW and also into the area around Adelaide, SA.

Rose Robins can usually be found in dry, open forest. During the breeding season they have a preference for gullies running through these forests.

Sightings

A Rose Robin was first spotted by us in Byfield National Park, QLD, in July 2009. Only a female bird was seen at the time.

Photos

Frontal view of a female Rose Robin in dense underbrush

Lateral view of the same bird as above

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Partly migratory Elementary unit: Pair

Food

Like all other robins (all families), Rose Robins are flycatchers. Most robins hunt for insects from low to mid-level perches.

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.