Dusky Robin

1. Uniform brown above and light brown below with a creamy eyebrow

2. Lacks conspicuous white wing panels seen in other robins

3. Often seen perched upright on stumps or posts in open habitats

Dusky Robins feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates, using a “sit-and-pounce” strategy from low perches. They also occasionally take nectar. Breeding occurs from July to December, with pairs or small groups defending territories. The untidy cup-shaped nest is built in a fork, crevice, or cavity, often in a stump or low tree, and is made from bark, grass, rootlets, and lined with softer materials. Females incubate 2–4 eggs, while both parents and sometimes helpers (often older offspring) feed the chicks. Young birds stay with the family group for several weeks after fledging. Dusky Robins are mostly sedentary, but may move to lower elevations in winter.

Dusky Robins are found throughout Tasmania, from sea level up to 1,2 metres. They favour dry eucalypt woodlands, forest edges, coastal heathlands, and open country, including farmland and gardens. These robins avoid dense forests and are most often seen in areas with scattered trees and open understory, especially where forest meets clearings or recently burnt ground. They are commonly observed perched in exposed positions, making short flights to the ground to catch insects.