Western yellow robin
Western yellow robin (Eopsaltria griseogularis)
Appearance: A small bird about 13.5–15.5 cm long, with grey upperparts and head, a grey breast, and a bright yellow belly. The two subspecies differ mainly in the rump color: griseogularis has a yellow rump, rosinae has an olive-green rump. Males and females look similar.
Where it lives: Found in the southwest of Western Australia and along the southern coast, plus the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It prefers open eucalypt forest and woodland with thick understory and a litter-rich ground layer. It is usually sedentary, though its range includes some fragmented areas and it is a rare visitor north to Shark Bay.
What it does: The western yellow robin eats mainly insects, often foraging on the ground or from low branches. It hunts from cover in leaf litter and around fallen logs, which shelter its prey.
Breeding: Breeding runs from July to January, most often September to November. The female builds a cup-shaped nest in a tree fork or on a branch, usually in eucalypts. Two eggs are typical; eggs are pale with brown markings. Both parents and helpers feed the chicks after they hatch, and incubation takes about two weeks.
Calls: The bird sings in extended whistle sequences, often at dawn, with a mournful quality. It also makes calls such as ch-churr and zitting, and a long call when nesting.
Conservation: The western yellow robin is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its broad range and population. However, it has declined in parts of its range due to habitat loss and fragmentation, especially in the Wheatbelt where habitat clearing has been extensive. Climate effects and changes to its leaf-litter habitat also pose threats.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 07:00 (CET).