The pink robin is a small passerine bird native to southeastern Australia. Its natural habitats are cool temperate forests of far southeastern Australia. Like many brightly coloured robins of the family Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 13.5 cm (5.3 in) in length, the robin has a small, thin, black bill, and dark brown eyes and legs. The male has a distinctive white forehead spot and pink breast, with grey-black upperparts, wings and tail. The belly is white. The female has grey-brown plumage. The position of the pink robin and its Australian relatives on the passerine family tree is unclear; the Petroicidae are not closely related to either the European or American robins, but appear to be an early offshoot of the Passerida group of songbirds.
Region
Southeastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found in cool, wet temperate forests, especially rainforest gullies and wet sclerophyll with dense ferny understorey. Prefers shaded creek lines, mossy logs, and tree-fern thickets where it forages close to the ground. Occurs in Tasmania and on the mainland from far southeastern New South Wales through Victoria into the Otway Ranges and Central Highlands. During winter, some birds move to lower elevations and more sheltered forest patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy forest robin is strongly sexually dimorphic: males show a vivid pink breast with a neat white forehead spot, while females are plain grey-brown. It builds a well-camouflaged cup nest of moss and spider silk, often on sheltered ledges or in tree-ferns. Despite its name, it is unrelated to European and American robins and belongs to the Australasian family Petroicidae.
Pink Robin, Tasmania
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs, defending small territories in dense understorey. Monogamous pairs during the breeding season build a mossy cup nest bound with spider silk and decorated with lichen. Clutches are small, and both parents feed the nestlings while remaining secretive.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Male delivers a thin, high-pitched series of piping notes and trills, often given from low concealed perches. Calls include sharp ticks and soft contact notes, carrying surprisingly well in damp forest.
Plumage
Male with grey-black upperparts, striking pink breast, white forehead spot, and white lower belly; female dull grey-brown with paler underparts and subtle buff wing markings.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as beetles, flies, caterpillars, and spiders gleaned from foliage, trunks, and leaf litter. Often performs short sallies to snatch prey from the air or ground. Will probe among moss and ferns and along creek edges.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dark, moist understorey with abundant ferns, logs, and low branches. Frequently forages along forest gullies, mossy banks, and riparian edges where insects are plentiful.
