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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Petroicidae
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  5. Petroica
  6. ›
  7. Red-capped Robin
Red-capped Robin
Photo · (c) Belinda Forbes, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Red-capped Robin

Petroica goodenovii(Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Petroicidae
Genus
Petroica

At a glance

The Red-capped Robin is a tiny bird, about 11–13 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
11–13 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 Red-capped Robin look like?

The Red-capped Robin is a tiny bird, about 11–13 cm long and weighing 6–13 g.

The red-capped robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Found in drier regions across much of the continent, it inhabits scrub and open woodland. Like many brightly coloured robins of the family Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 10.5–12.5 cm (4.1–4.9 in) in length, the robin has a small, thin, black bill, and dark brown eyes and legs. The male has a distinctive red cap and red breast, black upperparts, and a black tail with white tips. The underparts and shoulders are white. The female is an undistinguished grey-brown. This species uses a variety of songs, and males generally sing to advertise territories and attract females. Birds are encountered in pairs or small groups, but the social behaviour has been little studied.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
11–13 cm
Weight
6–12.6 g
Wingspan
15 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-capped Robin?

The Red-capped 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 · Bimbi NSW 2810, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Red-capped Robin eat?

The Red-capped Robin feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Red-capped Robin live in Australia?

The Red-capped Robin is endemic to Australia, recorded across 68 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning inland Australia.

BreedingInland Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded