This is one of the best-loved and most distinctive songbirds of Australia. It’s common in our area and is seen across most of the country except the driest of the inland deserts. It appears the most inoffensive, softly coloured and peaceful bird, but has been known to predate the nestlings of the Flame robin.

It can sometimes become inquisitive if you whistle its call (variations on pip-pip-pip-ho-ee) back to it. It may also nest around houses, laying up to four brown-freckled white eggs, usually in a bark strip nest.

Size: 24cm

Illustration: Mark Trinham.