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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Petroicidae
  4. ›
  5. Drymodes
  6. ›
  7. Southern Scrub Robin
Southern Scrub Robin
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Southern Scrub Robin

Drymodes brunneopygiaGould, 1841

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Petroicidae
Genus
Drymodes

At a glance

The Southern Scrub Robin is a medium-sized bird, about 19–22 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–22 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 Southern Scrub Robin look like?

The Southern Scrub Robin is a medium-sized bird, about 19–22 cm long and weighing 26–42 g.

The southern scrub robin is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is endemic to Australia, where it occurs in mallee and heathland in the semi-arid southern parts of the continent. Its range includes several disjoint regions from central New South Wales through western Victoria and southern South Australia, through to the southwestern area of Western Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–22 cm
Weight
26.3–42 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Southern Scrub Robin?

The Southern Scrub 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

Peter Crowcroft · Keith SA 5267, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Boxwood Hill WA 6338, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Southern Scrub Robin eat?

The Southern Scrub Robin feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Southern Scrub Robin live in Australia?

The Southern Scrub Robin is endemic to Australia, recorded across 25 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-west WA to central NSW and west VIC (south Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

6 regions recorded