Monday, 20 June 2016

Pink Robin


Pink Robin
Endemic to the dense, temperate and tropical forests of southeastern Australia, the pink robin (Petroica rodinogaster) is a plump little bird that weighs just 10g. The species displays striking sexual dimorphism - only the males are decorated in that delicious candy hue, framed by a smoky black throat, head, and back. The plumage of the females is far more subdued, but they're just as adorable.

Pink robins might look very similar to the red-breasted European robin, but they're barely even related. The pink robin belongs to a family called Petroicidae, which contains 45 known species.

Unlike the European robin, known for its gregariousness, the pink robin is something of a shy bird.  It is notoriously difficult to photograph as it tries to keep itself as hidden as possible while it darts about for food.

Watch:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7MO1iXolFg

References:
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2014/12/pink-robin
http://www.arkinspace.com/2016/06/the-pink-robin-gloriously-pink-breasted.html

Photo credit: Charlie Price
https://www.flickr.com/photos/113087753@N07/14755957098

#pinkrobin   #amazingbirds   #biodiversity   #coolcritters

2 comments:

  1. I love it! That's a beautiful hue.

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  2. Subdued color on females plumage is a good survival trait when you are mired to your nest trying to keep your eggs warm.

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