Flame Robin, male.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Flame Robin, at nest.
Photo: M Seyfort © Australian Museum
Flame Robin. Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Photo: Research Library © Australian Museum
Flame Robin, male.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Petroica phoenicea
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Flame Robin
Scientific name: Petroica phoenicea
Family: Petroicidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
Male Flame Robins have a bright orange breast and throat, and are white on the lower belly and undertail. The top of their head and back is dark slate grey and there is a clear white stripe on the folded wing. The bill is black and the legs dark brown. The female is quite different from the male, being mostly grey-brown with a pale buff wing stripe, and a mostly white outer tail feather. Young Flame Robins resemble the adult female, but the brown of the back is heavily streaked with buff and the pale belly is streaked with brown.
Similar species
The male Flame Robin may be confused with the male Scarlet Robin, Petroica multicolor. This species is black above and on the head, extending to the throat, with a scarlet breast and upper belly. Female and young Flame Robins can easily be confused with those of several other robin species. The main difference is that the outermost tail feather is white, and the next one has only a white edging.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Flame Robins are found in a broad coastal band around the south-east corner of the Australian mainland, from southern Queensland to just west of the South Australian border. The species is also found in Tasmania.
Habitat
Flame Robins prefer forests and woodlands up to about 1800 m above sea level.
Seasonal movements
In winter, Flame Robins may move to lower and more open areas, including gardens, and some Tasmanian birds move to the mainland.
What does it do?
Feeding
Flame Robins feed on insects, spiders and other small arthropods. Birds take prey from the ground, pouncing on it from exposed lookouts, then return to a perch to eat. Outside of the breeding season, Flame Robins often forage in scattered flocks, but are otherwise seen alone.
Breeding
The Flame Robin may lay up to two clutches during breeding season. The eggs are pale green or blue eggs, spotted with brown marks. These marks are mostly at the larger end. The nest is built by the female, and is a grass and bark cup, bound with spider web and decorated with lichen. It is normally placed in a cavity in a tree or rock face, or other similar area up to 20 m above the ground. The female also incubates the eggs, while the male supplies her with food. Both sexes feed the young chicks.
References
Boles, W.E. 1988. The Robins and Flycatchers of Australia. Angus and Robertson and The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Battam, H., Leishman, A.J. and Smith, L.E. 1986. Nesting of the Australian Pelican on Martin Island, Five Islands, New South Wales. Australian Birds 20: 61-62.