Scarlet Robin
Petroica boodang
The Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang) is a uncommon australasian robin found only in Australia, weighing about 13 g. The scarlet robin is a common red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus Petroica.
About the Scarlet Robin
The scarlet robin is a common red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus Petroica. The species is found on continental Australia and its offshore islands, including Tasmania. The species was originally split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason, and as the original collection by Gmelin was from Norfolk Island, this retained the name of multicolor, and is now known as the Norfolk robin.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Scarlet Robin can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Scarlet Robin?
- Like the rest of the Australasian robins, the scarlet robins are stocky passerines with large heads. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Scarlet Robin?
- The Scarlet Robin is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Scarlet Robin?
- The Scarlet Robin is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Scarlet Robin?
- The Scarlet Robin is most easily confused with the Red-capped Robin, the Tomtit and the Flame Robin.
- Is the Scarlet Robin endangered?
- The Scarlet Robin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Scarlet Robin for real
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