The garnet robin is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is monotypic within the genus Eugerygone. It is found in New Guinea, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the central mountain spine of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It favors subtropical to tropical moist montane forests, especially mossy and epiphyte-rich tracts. Birds are most often found in the shaded understory and mid-story along ridges, gullies, and forest edges. It tolerates lightly disturbed forest but is scarce in heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
1000–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The garnet robin is the sole species in its genus, highlighting its unique evolutionary lineage within the Australasian robins (Petroicidae). It inhabits mossy montane forests of New Guinea, where it keeps to the shadowy understory and mid-story. Its rich rufous coloration blends well with leaf litter and bark, making it a master of camouflage. Despite its secretive nature, it is assessed as not at risk due to a broad, mountainous range.
Temperament
quiet and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, low sallying flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs within dense understory. Builds a small cup-shaped nest of moss, fibers, and spider silk placed on a horizontal branch or fork. Pairs maintain small territories, and parental care is shared.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, high-pitched whistles and thin, tinkling notes delivered from concealed perches. Calls include short tsip or seee notes, often repeated at intervals.
