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Dusky Robins are large robins that are almost all-grey (the brownish tinge shown in drawings in parts of the literature is often exaggerated). The front, from chin to undertail coverts, is light-grey, while the head and back (nape of the neck, mantle, rump) is mid-grey. The flight feathers and the tail, both of which have thin white lining at the tips, are dark-grey. Any trace of brown in adult Dusky Robins is minute and usually limited to the cap and nape of the neck. The irises are dark-brown. The bill, legs and feet are dark-grey. Juvenile Dusky Robins have highly cryptic plumage. Juvenile birds are brownish-grey, with more brown on the head and back/wings than on the front, and some remnant light-grey streaking on the head and nape of the neck. Their flight feathers have broader white tips than those of adult birds. Juvenile and fledgling Dusky Robins are grey-brown, with a strong brown tinge and lighter grey streaking on the back. The front is scalloped grey-brown. The belly is off-white with only some darker streaking. They also still show an orange-yellow gape.

The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org .

The global distribution of the Dusky Robin is available HERE .

There are two races of Dusky Robins, both of which are endemic to Tasmania and other islands along Bass Strait. Nominate race "vittata" is found basically everywhere in Tasmania, except the highest peaks of the central highlands, near the watershed, where they go only occasionally. Race "vittata" also populates Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island, to the North-east of Tasmania, the three small islands near the north-western tip of Tasmania (Hunter, Three Hummock, Robbins Island), and all the small islands along Tasmania's South-east coast. Race "kingi" resides only on King Island.

Dusky Robins live in open forest, woodland and scrub, often near the edges towards open country.

Race "vittata"

B. Hensen reports spotting Dusky Robins, race "vittata", on Bruny Island, TAS, in March 2016. page has kindly been contributed by B. Hensen.

M. Eaton found Dusky Robins, race "vittata", at Margate, Kingborough, TAS, in September 2021.