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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Petroicidae
  4. ›
  5. Petroica
  6. ›
  7. Flame Robin
Flame Robin
Photo · (c) c_knut_lord, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Flame Robin

Petroica phoeniceaGould, 1837

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Petroicidae
Genus
Petroica

At a glance

The Flame Robin is a tiny bird, about 12–14 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
12–14 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Flame Robin look like?

The Flame Robin is a tiny bird, about 12–14 cm long and weighing 8–17 g.

The flame robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. It is a moderately common resident of the coolest parts of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Like the other two red-breasted Petroica robins—the scarlet robin and the red-capped robin—it is often simply called the robin redbreast. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) long, the flame robin has dark brown eyes and a small thin black bill. The male has a brilliant orange-red chest and throat, and a white patch on the forehead above the bill. Its upper parts are iron-grey with white bars, and its tail black with white tips. Female coloration is a muted grey-brown. Its song has been described as the most musical of its genus.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
12–14 cm
Weight
8–17 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Flame Robin?

The Flame Robin is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

jimchurches · Thredbo NSW 2627, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Flame Robin eat?

The Flame Robin feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Flame Robin live in Australia?

The Flame Robin is endemic to Australia, recorded across 36 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-east SA to south-east QLD and Tasmania (south-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded