Radiating a brilliant yellow luminosity, this diminutive songbird prefers to perch on low branches before launching down to capture its prey.
The Western Yellow Robin (*Eopsaltria griseogularis*) is a bird species belonging to the Australasian robin family, Petroicidae, and is native to Australia. First described by John Gould in 1838, the Western Yellow Robin and its Australian relatives are not closely related to European or American robins; however, they are considered an early offshoot of the Passerida group of songbirds. Measuring between 13.5 and 15.5 cm (5+1⁄4 and 6 in) in length, this robin features grey upperparts, a grey breast, and a head marked with whitish streaks near the bill and below the eye, complemented by a striking yellow belly.
Both males and females look alike.
There are two recognized subspecies: subspecies griseogularis all, distinguished by its yellow rump, and subspecies rosiniae, which has an olive-green rump.
Its range includes the Southwest of Western Australia and the southern coastline of the state, as well as the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
The Western Yellow Robin inhabits open eucalypt jungle, woodland, and scrub, with a preference for habitats featuring a significant understory.
This species constructs cup-shaped nests in trees and primarily feeds on insects, hunting by pouncing from low branches or foraging on the ground.
Breeding takes place from July to early January, with the female selecting the nest site, usually located in the fork or on a branch of a tree. The nest is an open cup made of various materials, including bark, grass, twigs, and spider webs. The female builds the nest and is cared for by the male and helper birds. Clutches typically consist of two or, rarely, three eggs, which are incubated for about fifteen days. The chicks are altricial, born blind and naked, and are fed by both parents and helpers.
This robin has a distinctive appearance, with grey upperparts blending into a grey breast and a clearly defined yellow belly. Its song comprises extended whistles, beginning with two piped notes, and is often heard before dawn, contributing to the characteristic sounds of southwestern forests and woodlands. The species is not closely related to any other within its range, with the Eastern Yellow Robin being its closest relative. Juvenile birds bear a resemblance to immature white-breasted robins and acquire yellow feathers on their bellies during the molt from juvenile plumage.
While the Western Yellow Robin is currently listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List, its population has declined in certain regions due to factors such as habitat loss caused by land clearing and human activities. The species faces potential threats from global warming and severe weather events that can further impact its habitat.
