Flame Robin

Images ©:

Flame Robin - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Flame Robin - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Flame Robin - Bob Winters | Flame Robin - Bob Winters

Petroica phoenicea


The male has dark grey upperparts and face with a white mark above the bill, white wing marks and white outer tail feathers. The underparts and throat are a brilliant flame colour. The female and young have pale brown upperparts and face with a white mark above the bill, a white-buff wing mark and a buff-brown breast. Some immature have a yellow-orange wash on the breast. Size: 12.5-14 cm.


Details
Type
Bird
Group
Biology

Breeds from August-January in the high country, migrating south in autumn and winter. A bulky cup nest is built in a tree cavity or fork of a tree up to 20 m high.

Distinctive Markings

The male is dark grey with a brilliant flame breast and throat, prominent white mark above the bill, white wing marks and white outer tail feathers.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Petroicidae
Genus
Petroica
Species
phoenicea

South-eastern Australia, northern New South Wales and Tasmania.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Flame Robins are generally winter visitors to south-eastern Australia.


Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore, invertebrates.

Habitat

Frequents a range of habitats in different seasons. In summer tends to be found in forests and woodlands up to 1800 m. In autumn-winter may be found in flocks in open woodlands, grasslands, paddocks and parks.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Audio samples
Sounds
A high pitched trill "chrip-a-chip, crip-a-chip, chirripa-tirrrrip". Also a slower "whit, whit, whit -" and a harsh scolding call.