more often than they hop and are usually seen on or near the ground. Breeding Crimson chats are found in small flocks and go in pairs throughout the breeding season and the rest of the year. Chats breed from August to October in the south and at almost any time in the drier northern regions following rain. These flocks form clusters of nests, which are defended by both the male and female chats. Most calls are soft, metallic twangs ("dik-it-dik-it") or high pitched whistles (like "see" or "seet"). When agitated they make a chattering sound (a quick "check-check"), which is where their name originates. 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. It is usually made with grass, rootlets, hair, feathers and twigs. The female lays 2 to 4 pink and white, brown-red spotted eggs, measuring . Both parents help incubate the eggs for 12-13 days and feed the young birds once they have hatched for two weeks until they can fly on their own to find food. 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. References "Honeyeaters and Australian Chats" (2003) Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Perrins, Christopher "Australian Chats" Birds: Their Life, Their Ways, Their World. 3rd ed. 1979. "Australian Chats: Epthianuridae." 21 Dec 2003. 13 Dec 2006 . "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 14 Dec 2006 . "Crimson Chat" Australian Bird Image Database 14 Dec 2006 . External links Information about the crimson chat crimson chat crimson chat Endemic birds of Australia crimson chat Articles containing video clips