White-breasted Robin

1. Clean white underparts with blue-grey upperparts

2. Grey tail with white corners, especially visible in flight

3. Juveniles are brownish and lack the sharp adult contrast

White-breasted Robins feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates, foraging by pouncing from low perches to the ground. They are cooperative breeders: breeding pairs are often helped by one or more “helper” birds, usually young males from previous broods. Nests are neat cups made of grass, bark, and spider webs, placed in dense scrub, often near water. Females lay 1-3 eggs and incubate eggs alone.The breeding season is from late winter to early summer, and up to two broods can be raised in a season. The species is sedentary, with pairs or small groups holding territories year-round. Adults may perform distraction displays to protect their nest from predators.

White-breasted Robins are found from Geraldton south to the Albany region, but their distribution is patchy. In the south, they inhabit dense undergrowth in karri and jarrah forests, especially along creeks and gullies. Northern populations live in coastal thickets of acacia and melaleuca, often near sand dunes. They are most active and vocal in the early morning, making this the best time to look for them. Listen for their sharp, rising “ziip” call or a soft, whistled double-note song to help locate them in dense vegetation.