- Petroica phoenicea
Identification
Length 13-14cm (5.0- 5.5-in).
Male: Gray back and head with short, thin slightly curved bill and a large white spot on the forehead. Flame-red chest and belly is the most diagnostic field mark. White bars show on folded wings.
Female: Uniform brown and buff.
Similar Species
Similar in morph and markings to all the other members of its genus, but P. rosea has dark gray (instead of black) upperparts which distinguishes in from the Scarlet Robin or Red-capped Robin, both of which have red chests. Females are difficult to distinguish. This is the largest of the Petroica robins.
Distribution
South-east Australia, (north-eastern New South Wales to south-western Victoria) and Tasmania.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
In summer will be found in gum forests and woodland from sea level to c. 1800 feet. In winter, moves to more open woodlands, agricultural areas golf courses, etc.
Behaviour
Takes insects on ground, or in flight in mid-story of forest.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Flame Robin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Flame_Robin
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
