Petroica boodang (Scarlet Robin)

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Given this species is common, photographing them has taken way too long. I’ve seen them in many locations and taken lots of shots of them but not to the standard I would publish. Unlike other robin species, scarlet robins seem reluctant to come close in response to call playback. They also seem more “flighty”: far less likely to sit perched. Together these traits filed my attempts to render candid photos.

This is actually the forth individual I’ve encountered and photographed. Six months ago I learnt that this it was hanging around near a public park and walking track. I tried to get photos then but couldn’t get close enough. When we came back to Tassie after our winter in QLD it was exiting to find he was still present. Yet I still could not get close. So I went to a pet store and bought meal worms.

My first attempt to coax him with worm was a failure since they went unnoticed. Next try I placed the worms on a quiet path where they couldn’t hide. Their light colour contrasted against the bitumen. This time the bird did notice and take them, but would not perch on the single nearby branch I was hoping to photograph him on. Over the course of the next four days I was able to get closer and closer. Ultimately it was comfortable perching a couple of meters away.

Happy.