Described As A Nondescript Bird, However, There Is One Variation That Is Quite Simply Outstanding – Meet The Pale Yellow Robin!

clonejoe | February 12, 2021 | Articles

This bird has been described as pretty mundane, which I think is a little unfair.

Cute in their own right, they wear their yellow waistcoat and grey cap with pride. However, there is one variation of this species that is quite simply stunning.

Meet the Pale Yellow Robin

*Photo Courtesy of JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0*

The Pale yellow robin has an olive back, with a gray head and yellow belly, with a white patch just beneath the bill. Both males and females look very similar, weighing in at 15-18 grams. They go on to have yellow-orange legs and dark brown eyes. Juveniles of this species are a rufous color with pale streaks on their heads.

*Photo Courtesy of Graham Winterflood – CC BY-SA 2.0*

Said to be fairly subdued in appearance there is one extremely rare variation of this species that is spellbinding if you are lucky enough to see one.

The Leucistic Pale yellow robin is similar to an albino, however, some pigment is retained in the eye, beak, feathers, and feet, creating an eyecatching little bird.

*“Pale-yellow robin” by Mike’s Birds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.*

Pale yellow robins are found from Mount Amos to Pauluma in North Queensland, and from Cooloola to Barrington Tops National Park in New South Wales, Australia.

*“pale-yellow robin” by Graham Winterflood is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.*

This bird prefers to live in rainforested areas or dense eucalyptus forest where the lawyer vine grows.

Here it likes to perch on low branches or tree trunks, from where it drops to the ground to catch its prey in the form of insects.

Breeding season runs from July through to December, with one or sometimes two broods. During this time a nest is built using the prickly bush lawyer vine, built around 30 feet above the ground.