The Scarlet Robin is a medium-sized robin, with a plump and compact appearance. Males have a black head, neck and upperparts with a conspicuous white patch above the bill (frontal patch). The breast is scarlet red and the lower underparts are white. The wings are barred white and the outer tail is also white. Females differ markedly from males, being brown above with a whitish frontal patch and an orange-red breast, brown wings and white underparts. Young birds resemble females but are streaked white above, tinged buff on the wings and are mottled dark-brown on the breast and sides of the body. The Norfolk Island subspecies of the Scarlet Robin differs from mainland birds, with the males having less white in the wings and tail and a larger red breast-patch while the females tend to be browner and also have less white in the wings and tail.
Not Threatened
The Scarlet Robin is a medium-sized robin, with a plump and compact appearance. Males have a black head, neck and upperparts with a conspicuous white patch above the bill (frontal patch). The breast is scarlet red and the lower underparts are white. The wings are barred white and the outer tail is also white. Females differ markedly from males, being brown above with a whitish frontal patch and an orange-red breast, brown wings and white underparts. Young birds resemble females but are streaked white above, tinged buff on the wings and are mottled dark-brown on the breast and sides of the body. The Norfolk Island subspecies of the Scarlet Robin differs from mainland birds, with the males having less white in the wings and tail and a larger red breast-patch while the females tend to be browner and also have less white in the wings and tail.
Minimum size: 12 cm Maximum size: 14 cm Average size: 13 cm Average weight: 13 g
Taxonomy: Muscicapa multicolor J. F. Gmelin, 1789, Norfolk Island. Forms a species group with P. boodang and P. macrocephala. Conventionally considered conspecific with former, but differs in plumage (reduced white on forehead, wing and tail, browner female), morphology and size. Relationship between nominate race and P. macrocephala of New Zealand requires further investigation. Fourteen subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * septentrionalis Mayr, 1934 - Bougainville I. * kulambangrae Mayr, 1934 - Kolombangara, in W Solomon Is. * dennisi Cain & I. C. J. Galbraith, 1955 - Guadalcanal, in S Solomons. * polymorpha Mayr, 1934 - San Cristobal (Makira), in SE Solomons. * soror Mayr, 1934 - Vanua Lava, in Banks Is. * ambrynensis Sharpe, 1900 - Banks Is (Meralba, Gaua) and N & C Vanuatu (Espiritu Santo, Aoba, Ambrym, Paama, Lopevi, Tongoa). * feminina Mayr, 1934 - C Vanuatu (Éfaté, Emao). * cognata Mayr, 1938 - Erromango, in SC Vanuatu. * similis G. R. Gray, 1860 - S Vanuatu (Tanna, Aneityum). * multicolor (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) - Norfolk I. * kleinschmidti Finsch, 1876 - W & N Fiji (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu). * taveunensis Holyoak, 1979 - NE Fiji (Taveuni). * becki Mayr, 1934 - S Fiji (Kadavu). * pusilla Peale, 1848 - Samoa (Savai’i, Upolu).
Lives in open forests and woodlands in Australia, while it prefers rainforest habitats on Norfolk Island. During winter, it will visit more open habitats such as grasslands and will be seen in farmland and urban parks and gardens at this time.
Feeds mainly on insects and forages on or near the ground. It will sit on a perch and fly down to catch prey. Sometimes forages in mixed flocks with other small insect-eating birds, such as Flame and Hooded Robins, Weebills, Grey Fantails and thornbills.
Form permanent monogamous pairs that maintain territories year round. The male advertises and defends the territory by singing from high, prominent perches. During the breeding season, the female selects a suitable, well-hidden nest site in a tree fork and builds a compact open cup nest (individuals of this species have also been reported making a nest on part of a building, such as a gutter). Nest materials include bark, grass, twigs and other plant materials; the nest is bound with spider web, lined with animal fibres or plant-down and camoflaged with moss or lichen. The female incubates the eggs while the male feeds her. Both sexes feed the nestlings, and will continue to feed the young for some time once fledged. Breeding season: July to January