19

Scarlet Robin

(Petroica multicolor)
Alternative names: "White-capped Robin", "Scarlet-breasted Robin", "Robin Redbreast"
Size: 12-14 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are three races of Scarlet Robins. Nominate race "boodang" is found in the Great Dividing Range and the south-eastern coastal fringe of Australia, from just to the north of Brisbane, QLD, in the north to the area around and north of Adelaide, SA, in the south. On the Eyre peninsula and in the south-western corner of WA one finds race "campbelli". On Flinders Island, Cape Barren Island and the eastern half of Tasmania race "leggii" is found.

During their breeding season Rose Robins can usually be found in dense, tall forest. Outside the breeding season they tend to disperse into more open forest.

Sightings

We first spotted a female Scarlet Robin in 2005 on a hike in the area of Wollomombi Falls near Ebor, north-eastern NSW. In July 2009 a male bird was spotted in the same location.

Another sighting was in 2006 in Jack's Creek State Forest, 25 km south of Narrabri, NSW.

In August 2007 a female bird was spotted by us in Mt. Kaputar National Park, 30 km east of Narrabri.

A male bird was spotted by C. Kellenberg at the Woods Reserve of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, NSW, in February 2009.

Photos

Frontal view of a male Scarlet Robin; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg

Lateral view of a male Scarlet Robin

Lateral view of a female Scarlet Robin

The same bird as above seen from behind

Behaviour

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

Food

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