Crimson chat: Difference between revisions

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |urlauthor=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22704475/0BirdLife International |date=2017 |title=''Epthianura tricolor'' |authorvolume=BirdLife International2017 |author-linkpage=BirdLife Internationale.T22704475A110986238 |yeardoi=201210.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22704475A110986238.en |access-date=2612 November 2013|ref=harv2021}}</ref>

Crimson chats are usually {{cvt|10|-|13&nbsp;|cm (4-5&nbsp;inches)|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 crimson crown and underparts, white throat and a yellow eye; 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 thinner and longer than the robin's. When a crimson chat is seen, a saltbush, ''Spinifex'', or mulga can usually be found nearby, as they are plants often associated with this species. According to relevant Federal and NSW organizations, the conservation of this bird is secure. Its only significant threat is being killed by predators.'''

Crimson chats can be found in deserts, semi-arid regions, 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, bluebush, acacia and samphire.<ref name=Morcombe /> 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 nectar.) However, chats do not follow routine seasonal 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 a 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 widthAustralian Birds''. 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 Animal Life Encyclopedia''. Eds. Michael Hutchins, Dennis A. Thoney, and Melissa C. McDade. Vol. 11: Birds IV. 2nd ed. New York: Gale, 2004. 65–68. 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].