Australian Pink Robins Are Cute And Energetic And Particularly Round

May 10, 2020 by apost team

We are familiar with robins in the spring, but the amazing Australian pink robins are a sight to behold with their bright pink breasts and other colors. This unique passerine bird is native to the cool, temperate eucalyptus forests of southern Victoria and neighboring parts of New South Wales and South Australia, as well as Tasmania. These pink robins nest and breed in the dense vegetation of the rainforests.

Described by Auguste Drapiez, a Belgian naturalist, back in 1819, the pink robin is a member of the Australasian robin family Petroicidae. With the binomial name of “Petroica rodinogaster,” the Petroicidae are actually not closely related to either the American or the European robins, but they appear to be early offshoots of the Passerida songbirds, reports Bird Life.

Petroica, the generic name, is from the Ancient Greek petros for 'stone' and oikos for 'house'. Rodinogaster, the specific name, is from the Ancient Greek rhodinos for 'pink' and gaster for 'belly.'

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Measuring only 5.3 inches in length, this robin has a thin, small black beak, dark brown legs and eyes, and an unusual round belly. The males and females have plumage which differs significantly.

The male is distinctive with its incredibly bright pink breast, white belly, a white forehead patch above the beak, and grey-black upperparts, wings, and tail. The female has olive-brown plumage and the slightest pink tint to her belly.

According to Bird Life, their breeding occurs between September and January. They take time to build a well-made and neat nest of spider webs, moss, feathers, and fur. They then place the nest in a tree fork up to 15 feet above the ground. Three or four eggs are laid, which are greenish-, greyish-, or blueish-white with lavender and dark brown splotches.

It is difficult to say how much damage was done to their habitat in the terrible bush fires that Australia endured. There was and is an ongoing fight to preserve the wildlife in Australia.

Have you ever seen a picture or a video of the Australian pink robin? You are welcome to let us know your reactions to the colors and cuteness of this adorable bird.