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19

Red-capped Robin - Aboriginal information

(Petroica goodenovii)
Alternative name: "Redhead"
Aboriginal names: "bullawang", "choondah", "tarongo"; "awi irta" [yura ngawarla];
"wi-oombeen", "guniibuu" [yuwaalaraay]; "menekedang" (WA)
Size: 11-12 cm; wing span 15-19.5 cm
Weight: 7-9 g

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Spiritual significance

The Red-capped Robin (often called "Red Breast Robin") features in Aboriginal creation stories. A few examples are reproduced or listed here.

Clem & Terrence Coulthard from Nepabunna, SA, tell the story of "Awi Irta" or "The story of the Red Breast Robin" (ISBN 0 85910 406 0). In it they tell in two languages (Yura Ngawarla and English) the story of how the Red-capped Robin got its red cap and breast.

Disclaimer: Not being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, we make no claim of intellectual ownership of any of the information presented here. We merely collect facts and stories documented by others. Credits/references are listed HERE.

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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