Crimson chat: Difference between revisions

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{IUCNcite iucn |idauthor=22704475BirdLife International |date=2017 |title=''Epthianura tricolor'' |assessorvolume=BirdLife International2017 |assessor-linkpage=BirdLife Internationale.T22704475A110986238 |versiondoi=201310.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22704475A110986238.2en |year=2012 |accessdateaccess-date=2612 November 20132021}}</ref>

The '''crimson chat''' ('''''Epthianura tricolor''''') is a species of small bird found in Australia. It is also known as the '''tricoloured chat''', '''saltbush canary''', and '''crimson-breasted nun'''.<ref name=Pizzey>{{cite book|title=[[A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Pizzey)|A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia]]|first=Graham|last=Pizzey|authorlink=Graham Pizzey|others=Illustrated by Doyle, Roy|isbn=0-00-217282-8|chapter=648 Crimson Chat|page=354|publisher=[[HarperCollins|Collins]]}}</ref>

Crimson chats are usually 4{{cvt|10|-5&nbsp;inches (10–13&nbsp;|13|cm)|in|abbr=on}} in length and {{cvt|10|-|11&nbsp;grams|g|oz|abbr=on}} in weight. They have long, thin legs; a pointy, downward curving bill; and a brush-like tipped tongue. Adult males are covered in brown feathers, have red crowns and under parts; a black mask around their eyes; and white throats. Females and younger chats are colored similarly, but with paler markings. The males are usually more brightly colored than females, specifically during the breeding season in order to attract a mate.

=== Similar species ===

A bird species similar to and often confused with the crimson chat is the male [[red-capped robin]], whose scientific name is '''Petroica goodenovii'''. However, there are three main differences between their characteristics. A male crimson chat has acrimson whitecrown throatand asunderparts, wellwhite asthroat and a plumpyellow bodyeye; however,whereas the red-capped robin has a black body with crimson chest and cap, white wing marks, and a dark eye. Also, the crimson chat's bill is skinnierthinner and longer than the robin's. When a crimson chat is seen, a saltbush, ''Spinifex'', or mulga woodland plant can usually be found nearby, as they are plants often associated with this type of birdspecies. According to relevant Federal and NSW organizations, the conservation of this bird is secure. Its only realsignificant threat is being killed by predators.

Crimson chats can be found in deserts, semi-arid climatesregions, woodlands, grasslands, and coastal shrublands in the central part of Australia from the west coast to the Great Dividing Range and from the tropics to the south coast. Generally, they tend to inhabit areas on the fringes of wet regions, where it is more dry. They live in various types of shrubland: saltbush, blue bushbluebush, acacia, and samphire.<ref Itname=Morcombe moves/> They move to wetter areas when rainfall is insufficient, which means that there aren'tare not enough nutrients produced for the birds to consume). The flocksFlocks of crimson chats may wander over a significantly wide area around their range in order to track rain. (This nomadic movement helps them find the best flowers and nectarsnectar.) However, chats do not follow routine seasonal longtime migrations.

[[Image:Crimson Chat female.jpg|thumb|leftright|Female]]

Crimson chats are found in small flocks and go in pairs throughout the breeding season and the rest of the year. Chats havebreed afrom longAugust breedingto seasonOctober fromin Augustthe to Novembersouth and aat shorteralmost periodany aftertime in the raindrier seasonnorthern fromregions Marchfollowing to Aprilrain.<ref name=Morcombe /> These flocks form clusters of nests, which are defended by both the male and female chats. Most calls are soft, metallic twangs (‘dik "dik-it - dik it’-it") or high pitched whistles (like ‘see’."see" or "seet"). When agitated they make an aggressivea chattering sound (a quick ‘check "check- check’check"), which is where their name originates.<ref name=Pizzey>Pizzey, Graham; Doyle, Roy (1980) ''A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia''. Collins Publishers, Sydney. {{ISBN|073222436-5}}</ref>

In this species, both sexes help build a nest in a cup shape, which is located close to the ground in low shrub or grass.<ref name=Pizzey /> It is usually made with grass, rootlets, hair, feathers, and twigs. The female lays 2 to 54 pink and white, brown-red spotted eggs, approximatelymeasuring ½{{cvt|17|x|13|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref inchname=Morcombe>Morcombe, Michael (1–2&nbsp;cm2012) in''Field lengthGuide andto Australian widthBirds''. Pascal Press, Glebe, NSW. Revised edition. {{ISBN|978174021417-9}}</ref> Both parents help incubate the eggs for around12–13 two weeksdays and feed the young birds once they have hatched for two weeks until they can fly on their own to find food.<ref name=Morcombe /> If a predator comes near the nest either parent will fake an injury to distract the creature away from the nest. Predators include cats, snakes, foxes, and larger birds like ravens.

* "Honeyeaters and Australian Chats." (2003) ''Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. 1st ed. 2003''.

* Perrins, Christopher. "Australian Chats." ''Birds: Their Life, Their Ways, Their World''. 3rd ed. 1979.

* "Australian Chat." ''Ebsco Animals''. Ebsco host. 30 Nov 2006 .

* Ford, Hugh Alastair, PhD. "Australian Chats (Epthianuridae)." Grzimek’s''Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia''. Eds. Michael Hutchins, Dennis A. Thoney, and Melissa C. McDade. Vol. 11: Birds IV. 2nd ed. New York: Gale, 2004. 65-6865–68. 17 vols.

* "Crimson Chat." ''Birds in Backyards. 08 Jun 2006. Birds in Backyards.'' 14 Dec 2006 [https://web.archive.org/web/20071006094008/http://birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=300].

* "Crimson Chat." 2006. ''Australian Bird Image Database.'' 14 Dec 2006 [https://web.archive.org/web/20060621055009/http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=63&bid=974].