Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Red-capped Robin ( Petroica goodenovii ) is a widespread Passerine ( songbird ) in dryer regions of Australia. They are mostly sedentary but if conditions are dry, this species will move to areas with a more abundant food source. Likewise, they will nest following suitable conditions, ideally with good amounts of rain.
The female is much more subdued in colour ( see my other youtube video of this species nesting )youtube.com/watch?v=c5ejqdAv_dQ
Their hunting technique is to perch, mainly low down and then make repeated sorties to the ground, hunting insects and grubs. The call from the male carries surprisingly far in the scrub.
The making of this video was very challenging due to high winds, meaning that the audio had to be engineered extensively.
General description from Birdlife Australia below.
The male Red-capped Robin is black above and white below with a distinctive scarlet-red cap, white shoulders, and a red breast that contrasts strongly with a black throat. The black wing is barred white and the tail is black with white edges. Females are quite different in appearance: grey-brown above and off-white below, with a reddish cap, brown-black wings barred buff to white, and some have faint red on the breast. Young birds are similar to females but are streaked white above, have an pale buff wing bar and their breast and sides are streaked or mottled dark-brown. I began birdwatching when I was 12 and progressed to bird photography and then to bird Video for the past 15 years.
Originally from the UK, I find birding in Australia exciting and engaging. I have now travelled around Australia twice but mainly film birds in Queensland.
Many of the bird clips are taken from hides or blinds that I construct from bush materials, saving the need to carry a hide to a location.
Knowing bird calls and song is a big part of finding each species and naturally, knowing the habitat requirements helps also.
The Red-capped Robin ( Petroica goodenovii ) is a widespread Passerine ( songbird ) in dryer regions of Australia. They are mostly sedentary but if conditions are dry, this species will move to areas with a more abundant food source. Likewise, they will nest following suitable conditions, ideally with good amounts of rain.
The female is much more subdued in colour ( see my other youtube video of this species nesting )youtube.com/watch?v=c5ejqdAv_dQ
Their hunting technique is to perch, mainly low down and then make repeated sorties to the ground, hunting insects and grubs. The call from the male carries surprisingly far in the scrub.
The making of this video was very challenging due to high winds, meaning that the audio had to be engineered extensively.
General description from Birdlife Australia below.
The male Red-capped Robin is black above and white below with a distinctive scarlet-red cap, white shoulders, and a red breast that contrasts strongly with a black throat. The black wing is barred white and the tail is black with white edges. Females are quite different in appearance: grey-brown above and off-white below, with a reddish cap, brown-black wings barred buff to white, and some have faint red on the breast. Young birds are similar to females but are streaked white above, have an pale buff wing bar and their breast and sides are streaked or mottled dark-brown. I began birdwatching when I was 12 and progressed to bird photography and then to bird Video for the past 15 years.
Originally from the UK, I find birding in Australia exciting and engaging. I have now travelled around Australia twice but mainly film birds in Queensland.
Many of the bird clips are taken from hides or blinds that I construct from bush materials, saving the need to carry a hide to a location.
Knowing bird calls and song is a big part of finding each species and naturally, knowing the habitat requirements helps also.
