19 |
![]() |
Rufous-tailed Scrub RobinAlternate name(s): "Rufous Scrub Robin", "Rufous Bush Robin", "Rufous Bush Chat", "Rufous Warbler" Size: 15-17 cm |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
|
||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Photos |
Race "familiaris"(?)
![]() |
ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Close-up lateral view of a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin keeping an eye on
the intruder in its territory
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Here a different posture, seen from the side
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, May 2010]
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin with ruffled plumage after preening
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin; slightly different posture
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Near-dorsal view of a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin issuing its call
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, May 2010]
Dorsal view of a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin with its tail up and fanned slightly
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Jumping Jack Flash - Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin jumping off a rock
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin in low, gliding flight
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
![]() |
Behaviour |
A Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin's tail basically never stands still. It is always in motion - up-down, fan-fold. Usually, this is what gives the bird away when hidden in dense underbrush or thickets.
A Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin's various ways to hold its tail
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat]
This photo (taken without a flash) shows more clearly how dark it
usually is where a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin likes to sit for preening
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
![]() |
Behaviour |
![]() |
MALE |
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins show other peculiar patterns of behaviour, such as a wing and tail spread, see below. When performed while on the ground, this spread is accompanied by a forward thrust of the breast. This behviour was also observed when there was no second bird in sight.
Extreme posture that clearly indicates a male Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin's
display behaviour; a second bird was within sight, in a small tree
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
Different posture indicating a male Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin's display
behaviour; again, a second bird was within sight
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]
![]() |
Food, Diet |
Like all other robins (all families), Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins are flycatchers. Most robins hunt for insects from low to mid-level perches.
This Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin has found a good-sized meal
[Campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, April 2010]