White-rumped Robin
Melanodryas bimaculata
A fairly small bird of foothill forest understory. Black plumage with obvious white mark in front of the shoulder, and white both above and below the base of the tail. Belly is white in most of the range but black in the northeast. Very similar to Pied Bushchat but White-rumped Robin has a white patch in front of rather than on the shoulder, and lives in forest rather than grassland. A series of medium-pitch whistled notes starting with a single higher note.
Identification
Measuring 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in), the white-rumped robin has black plumage with a white rump and upper tail coverts. It has white patches on the sides of its breast. The abdomen is white in the nominate subspecies, and black with some white in the subspecies vicarius. The female closely resembles the male, but its black feathers have brown tinges. The bill and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown.
Taxonomy
Genus: Melanodryas; Family: Petroicidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Melanodryas bimaculata
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1874)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Melanodryas
Range and habitat
The white-rumped robin is found in the highlands of New Guinea from altitudes of 300 to 1,700 m (980 to 5,580 ft). Within the rainforest it is found in pairs in the understory or on the ground. It is insectivorous.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Dusky Piha
Lipaugus fuscocinereus
This large, relatively long-tailed cotinga is completely lacking in distinctive plumage: it is entirely plain gray. Sexes alike. Found from around 2,000–3,000 m, far above the elevation range of any similar cotingas. Could be confused with Great Thrush, which is a similar size and color, but note dark legs and bill. Also focus on the Piha’s shape, with its long tail, short bill, and round head. Occurs in humid cloud forest, where it typically perches inconspicuously in the middle to upper levels of forest. Often found around fruiting trees.
Philippine Falconet
Microhierax erythrogenys
A small raptor of foothill forest that favors exposed branches on emergent trees, often near rivers. Black above with a bluish sheen and a black base to the undertail that extends to the thighs and sides. The rest of the underparts are white, extending to the white cheeks. Unmistakable, as there are no other raptors of this size or birds with this color scheme. Voice is a descending, mouse-like squeak, “wiiuuu!”
White-necked Rockfowl
Picathartes gymnocephalus
A bizarre and unique ground-loving bird, large but slender, with long legs, tail, and neck and extensive yellow facial skin with large dark brown patches behind the eyes resembling earmuffs. Resident in lowland forest, hill forest, and secondary scrub where there are large boulders and caves inside the forest for them to use for nesting and roosting. Forages in pairs or groups on the forest floor, bouncing effortlessly through the undergrowth on strong legs and returning to rocks most nights to roost communally. Mostly silent, but makes low clucking and other soft contact calls.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.