Crimson Chat

Scharlachtrugschmätzer ( Epthianura tricolor)

The Scharlachtrugschmätzer ( Epthianura tricolor) is an Australian songbird of the family of the honey eaters.

Features

The male is red at apex, breast and flanks, on the throat, lower abdomen and rump white, dyed black at the back dark brown and the neck, tail and eye-streak. The female is light brown on the upper side and our side white and has a yellow- brown spots on breast and flanks.

Occurrence

The bird inhabits dry areas of Australia with little or low vegetation.

Behavior

The sparseness of its habitat forces the Scharlachtrugschmätzer frequently to change his location and move over long distances to where sprouts after rain fresh vegetation. In addition to insects, which are the main food, it also feeds on the nectar of desert flowers. In their search for food, he constantly moves on the ground.

Reproduction

In the breeding season from July to December of the bird builds in the protection of vegetation a deep bowl nest of grass and twigs, which is lined with hair and roots. The clutch consists of two to three eggs are incubated for 14 days, the nestling period lasts another 14 days.