Epthianura tricolor
Silhouette: Rachael Joakim · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~10%
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. Crimson chats are usually 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in) in length and 10–11 g (0.35–0.39 oz) 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.
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... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth Zoo | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Crimson Chat sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park on a given day, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 98th most-seen of the 102 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Crimson Chat in Ningaloo Marine Park on a given day, against under 5% in June to April, the lowest months. That is one of Ningaloo Marine Park's wettest months, with about 30 mm of rain against almost none in October.
Between 1 and 4 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Crimson Chat sightings with a recorded time, and about 6 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is most active around dawn and dusk.
2nd of 2
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Crimson Chat sightings, Ningaloo Marine Park ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia, about 10%).
Same family: Meliphagidae
The closest relatives of the Crimson Chat that you can see in Ningaloo Marine Park (family Meliphagidae, Honeyeaters) are Singing Honeyeater (about 70%), Yellow-throated Miner (about 20%) and Brown Honeyeater (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Crimson Chat is recorded against all the birds logged in Ningaloo Marine Park (7 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
