Southern Scrub Robin

Overview

The southern scrub robin (Drymodes brunneopygia) is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae that is endemic to Australia. It inhabits the semi-arid southern parts of the continent, specifically within mallee and heathland environments. The species is classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List, although it is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales.

Identification

• Adults are relatively large, measuring around 19–20 cm in length, with the tail comprising approximately one-third of that length.
• Most of the plumage is grey, distinctively featuring a dullish red tail and patterned black-and-white wings.
• The legs are unusually long for a passerine, an adaptation used to hop through dense heathland.

Habitat

The bird lives in mallee and heathland across the semi-arid southern parts of Australia. Its range includes several disjoint regions stretching from central New South Wales through western Victoria and southern South Australia, to the southwestern area of Western Australia.

Diet

The southern scrub robin searches for insects and other small invertebrates. It utilises its unusually long legs to hop through dense heathland while foraging.

Did you know?

Unusually for a passerine, this species lays only a single egg, which is grey-green in colour to provide camouflage amongst the sclerophyllous flora of its habitat.