Black Robin
Petroica traversi
A very rare small robin endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Almost went extinct in the 1980s. Both sexes are entirely black. Confined to two offshore nature reserves in the Chatham Islands. Often stands alert, perching in a slightly hunched manner. Feeds on invertebrates in the soil and substory vegetation, making quick forays from perches in the understory. The male song is simple, consisting of 4-5 clear notes. Females will sing brief phrases every so often. Actively investigates any human activity within its territory. Tomtit has a pale underside, so should not be confused.
Identification
The black robin is a small, sparrow-sized bird measuring 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in). Its plumage is almost entirely brownish-black, with a black bill and brownish-black yellow-soled feet.<p>Females are usually slightly smaller than males. Male songs are a simple phrase of 5 to 7 notes. Its call is a high-pitched single note. Their eyes are dark brown. Black robins moult between December and March.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Petroica traversi
- Authority
- (Buller, 1872)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Petroica
Range and habitat
Black robins live in low-altitude scrub forest remnants. They are entirely insectivorous, feeding on the forest floor or on low branches, and preferring to nest in hollow trees and tree stumps. To shelter from the strong winds and rough seas around the islands, they frequent the lower branches of the forest, or in flat areas with deep litter layers. They prefer woody vegetation under the canopies of trees such as akeake.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Black robins are territorial. Males will patrol and defend their areas. Females have been known to chase away other females. They make short flights from branch to branch and do not fly long distances.<p>Black robins forage in the leaf litter on the ground for grubs, cockroaches, wētā, and worms. Black robins will hunt for food during the day and night and have good night vision.<p>Black robins will generally start to breed at two years of age. The female robin will make the nest, and while she lays and incubates the eggs, the male will feed the female for a rest.<p>Eggs are laid between early October and late December. A second clutch may be laid if the first is unsuccessful. The clutch size varies from one to three eggs, but two is typical. Eggs are creamy in colour with purple splotches. When the eggs are laid, the female will sit on them to keep them warm until they hatch, after about 18 days. Then both parents will help to feed the chicks. Young robins stay in the nest for about 23 days after hatching, but even after leaving the nest the parents will continue to feed them until they are about 65 days old. This period of parental care is longer than would normally be expected for a bird of this size. After leaving the nest, chicks often spend the first day or two on the ground learning to use their wings, and here they are exposed to predators.<p>Survivorship between 1980 and 1991 indicates a mean life expectancy of four years. "Old Blue", the sole breeding female in 1980, lived for over 14 years. Some black robins can live from 6 to 13 years.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Apurimac Spinetail
Synallaxis courseni
Small, long-tailed bird found locally in humid montane forest in the Apurimac valley. Dark slaty gray with a rusty red cap and wings. Found singly or in pairs in dense undergrowth around forest edges and landslides, especially around bamboo thickets. Listen for its incessantly repeated song, a squeaky “kit, puEET.”
Black-billed Treehunter
Thripadectes melanorhynchus
Rather dull, brownish bird found in cloud forest along the east slope of the Andes. Brown with faint buff streaking on head, throat, and breast. Throat is scaled buffy, and tail is rusty. Lack of distinct streaking on lower underparts helps distinguish it from other similar species in range. Usually seen foraging along branches at low to medium heights. Typical song is a series of two to six strident notes; a longer series may be given if the bird is excited.
Mongolian Ground-Jay
Podoces hendersoni
With its long, slightly decurved bill, flashy black-and-white wings, and ground-loving behavior, this bird is far from a typical jay. Sandy brown overall with a black crown and a thin dark line behind the eye. Clean pale face, less extensive white in the wing, and lack of white on the rump distinguish it from similar-looking Xinjiang Ground-Jay. Inhabits open, dry steppeland and high-altitude semi-desert, where it forages on the ground but often perches up on exposed boulders or snags.
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