This beautiful, common little bird inhabits semi-arid and arid woodlands throughout the southern two-thirds of Australia.
Red-capped Robins generally stay low down in the understorey, and most of their insect prey is caught either on the ground or by pouncing on it from a perch less than 1m above the ground.
The migratory movements of Red-capped Robins are not well known. Part of the population is known to be sedentary but in other areas the population is more mobile, exhibiting seasonal shifts in response to climatic change.
In areas where the population is sedentary, mostly the south and east of Australia, the monogamous pair will defend their territory all year round, with the drabber female performing most of the nesting duties.
Pallid Cuckoos are unwelcome visitors to Red-capped Robin territories due the robins being one of the many species the cuckoo uses as a host for its eggs, and any interlopers that trespass in the Robin's territory are subjected to a barage of attacks. The robins are often helped in their attempts to drive the cuckoo away by other species, such as Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters.
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