Joe Kahlo
The red-capped robin may be tiny, but its looks are mighty and will leave you captivated
Which is probably why it is commonly referred to as the ‘jewel of the bush.’
Native to the lands of the continent of Australia, this little fluffball consists of a black head and wings, scarlet forehead and chest and a fluffy white torso.
Found in the dry areas of Australia such as open woodlands, bush areas and scrublands.
Despite the bird being known officially as the red-capped robin, you may have also heard it being called a redcap, redhead, red-breasted or red-throated robin.
These little fluffballs prefer a diet of insects and other similar sized arthropods, specifically beetles (96% of their diet) and ants.
The red-capped robin can successfully raise up to three broods of children on rare occasions during the breeding season which is from August to January.
The male chooses the nest sites for the family and indicates this to his partner by rubbing his body over all the potential areas.
This process may take a few attempts before the female eventually chooses where she will nest.
Then the female alone proceeds to build the nest using dry grass and bark, using feathers, fur and even spider webs to help bind and fill it.
She will then lay two or three little white eggs on consecutive days which she also incubates on her own.
The male’s job of feeding then comes when the young have entered the world.
Like most birds, the females are a more dull color and seem to be grey-brown with a red forehead.
Due to many factors such as deforestation and predation, the red-capped robin has appeared from certain parts of Australia.
