The eastern yellow robin is an Australasian robin of coastal and sub-coastal eastern Australia. The extent of the eastern yellow robin's residence is from the extreme southeast corner of South Australia through most of Victoria and the western half of New South Wales and north as far as Cooktown. Tropical Northern Queensland birds are mainly restricted to the warm heights of the Great Dividing Range.
Region
Eastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found from the extreme southeast of South Australia through most of Victoria, eastern and central New South Wales, and north to Cooktown in Queensland. Occupies coastal and sub-coastal forests, woodland, heaths, and riparian corridors with a well-developed understory. Prefers shaded mid- to lower-strata perches near open leaf litter for pouncing on prey. In tropical Queensland it is largely confined to the warmer uplands of the Great Dividing Range.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Eastern yellow robins often perch sideways on tree trunks or low branches, sallying out to pounce on prey on the ground. They maintain year-round territories and pairs often stay together across seasons. In the tropics they favor upland slopes of the Great Dividing Range, while farther south they occur down to coastal forests.
Range: subsp. chrysorrhoa in green; subsp. australis in yellow; hybrid zone in lime
Temperament
confiding but territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups holding year-round territories. Pairs build a neat cup nest low to mid-height in forks or vine tangles, using bark strips and spider silk. Some populations show occasional cooperative breeding with helpers assisting at the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Clear, ringing whistles and piping phrases delivered from low to mid-level perches, often repeated in short series. Calls include sharp ticks and soft contact notes used between mates.