Scarlet Robin
Petroica boodang
Large Australian robin. Males black above, with a black head and chin, and a large white spot above the bill. Breast and belly bright scarlet. Black wing shows extensive white panels. Females brownish above, pale below, with reddish breast patch, dark upperwing with pale panels, and large white spot above bill. In Tasmania, similar Dusky Robin lacks pale panels in the wing. Inhabits open woodlands as well as farmland and grasslands in southeastern and southwestern Australia and Tasmania. Perches low, snatching prey from the ground.
Identification
Like the rest of the Australasian robins, the scarlet robins are stocky passerines with large heads. They range in size from 12 to 13.5 cm in length and weigh between 12 and 14 g. The plumage is sexually dimorphic. The males have black heads, backs and tails, black and white wings, a scarlet red breast, and white belly, forehead and rump. The female matches the male in pattern, but is duller, with brown plumage instead of black, a much more washed-out red on the breast, and a buff belly. Juvenile birds resemble the female without the reddish wash on the breast.
Taxonomy
There are three recognised subspecies of Petroica boodang: the nominate subspecies P.b.boodang is found in mainland southeastern Australia; P.b.leggii is found in Tasmania and Flinders Island in the Bass Strait; and P.b.campbelli occurs in southwestern Western Australia.
- Scientific name
- Petroica boodang
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Petroica
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Large-tailed Antshrike
Mackenziaena leachii
Medium-sized antshrike with a rather small head, a short robust bill, and a long tail. Males are black with white spots and an entirely black tail while females are black with cinnamon spots and barring throughout. Mostly seen in pairs in the dense understory of humid forests closer to bamboo, can be active but hard to see. The song is a loud and clear series of ascending and descending notes.
Kashmir Nutcracker
Nucifraga multipunctata
A jay-like bird with a long pointed bill, a black cap, and white spots all over. Very similar to Eurasian Nutcracker, but the Kashmir Nutcracker appears whiter overall with more white on the back, underparts, undertail, and tail tips. Forages in conifers for nuts and seeds, occasionally descending to the ground. Calls include loud, harsh “kraaa” notes.
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird
Pogoniulus subsulphureus
A small barbet that frequents forest, forest edge, and even urban areas with enough vegetation. Despite its name, the yellow throat is not often obvious; instead look for this species’ overall pale whitish underparts and black upperparts with a distinctive white moustache. Shows a small yellow rump when seen from above. Not all individuals have a yellowish throat; this is more common in the western part of the range. Similar to Red-rumped and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, but note the Yellow-throated Tinkerbird’s overall bicolored appearance, its fast nasal song, and, in the west, its yellowish throat. Song is a typical fast, nasal tinkerbird song with short, rapid sets of 2-5 “po-po-po” notes given at approximately 5 notes per second, often with hesitant pauses between note sets.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.