Pacific robin

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Pacific robin [1]
Pacific Robin (Petroica pusilla) Viti Levu, Fiji Isles.jpg
P. p. kleinschmidti, Viti Levu, Fiji
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Petroicidae
Genus: Petroica
Species:
P. pusilla
Binomial name
Petroica pusilla
Peale, 1849
Synonyms

Petroica multicolor

The Pacific robin (Petroica pusilla), is a red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus Petroica found in Melanesia and Polynesia. It is similar in plumage to the scarlet robin of Australia, and until recently the two were considered conspecific until split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason. [3] Thirteen subspecies of Pacific robin are currently recognised, [4] and these subspecies display considerable variation in plumage, foraging preferences, and habitat. The Norfolk robin was previously considered a subspecies of the Pacific robin, but is now considered a distinct species. [5]

Contents

Taxonomy

The Pacific robin was originally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 from a collection in Norfolk Island. It was considered conspecific with the scarlet robin of Australia until split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason. [3] It forms a species group along with the scarlet robin and the tomtit of New Zealand. [4] It was further split from the Norfolk robin in 2015. [5] Since the Norfolk birds were discovered first, the Norfolk robin presumed the specific name multicolor, with the Pacific group talking the next earliest name of pusilla. The nominate subspecies of Pacific robin, found in Samoa, was described by American naturalist Titian Peale in 1848.

The generic name Petroica is derived from the Ancient Greek words petros 'stone' and oikos 'home'. The specific name pusilla derives from the Latin pusillus meaning 'very small'. [6]

It is one of five red- or pink-breasted species of robin in the genus Petroica that are colloquially known as "red robins". Although named after the European robin, it is not closely related to either the European robin or the American robin. Along with the other Australian robins, it was classified for many years as a member of the old world flycatcher family Muscicapidae, [7] before being placed in the whistler family Pachycephalidae. [8] The Australasian robins are now placed in their own family Petroicidae. [8] [9]

Sibley and Alquist's DNA-DNA hybridisation studies placed the robins in a Corvida parvorder comprising many tropical and Australian passerines, including pardalotes, fairy-wrens, and honeyeaters, as well as crows. [10] However, subsequent molecular research (and current consensus) places the robins as a very early offshoot of the Passerida ("advanced" songbirds). [11]

Subspecies

Subspecies of Pacific robin
Trinomial name
and author		RangeDescription and notes
P. p. ambrynensis(Sharpe, 1900) Espiritu Santo, Aoba, Ambryn, Paama, Lopevi and Tongoa; north and central Vanuatu, and Banks Islands Like nominate subspecies, but male has less white in the wings, and the female has an orange-red breast. Pronounced sexual dimorphism.
P. p. similis(G.R. Gray, 1860) Tanna and Aneityum; South VanuatuAs P. m. ambrynensis, but male has even duller sooty black plumage.
P. p. feminina(Mayr, 1934) Efate and Emao; central VanuatuMale looks more like a female, with brown upperparts and brown plumage encroaching the red breast. The female is lighter than the male, with cinnamon tinge and off-white throat.
P. p. soror(Mayr, 1934) Vanua Lava; Banks Islands As P. m. feminina, but darker upperparts and more scarlet on throat.
P. p. cognata(Mayr, 1938)Erromango; south central VanuatuSimilar to P. m. soror, but upperparts greyish, and with white in the tail.
P. p. pusilla(Peale, 1848) Savai'i and Upolu; Samoa Nominate subspecies; male has sooty black upperparts and head, more white on the wing, and a smaller white patch on forehead.
P. p. kleinschmidti(Finsch, 1876) Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; Fiji As P. m. pusilla, but male has larger white forehead patch and darker upperparts; female has much greyer upperparts, and a broad wingbar.
P. p. taveunensis(Holyoak, 1979) Taveuni; FijiLike P. m. kleinschmidti, but male has deeper red on breast and female has brown upperparts.
P. p. becki(Mayr, 1934) Kadavu; south FijiAs P. m. kleinschmidti, but male and female have lighter upperparts.

Description

The Pacific robin is a small passerine, 11.5–13.5 cm long and weighing 9–11 g. [4] Over much of its range, it is the smallest species of bird. The plumage of the males and females is dimorphic, and the extent of this varies depending on the subspecies. The male of the nominate race has a black head with a white forehead, a black back and tail, and the wings are also black with a white bar. The breast and belly are red, and the lower belly and rump are white. The female lacks the white forehead and the white bar on the wing; and the black plumage of the male is replaced by dark brown feathers. The breast is a duller red than the male and has more brown on the sides, and the area of white on the rump is also smaller. Both sexes have black legs and bills. Amongst the subspecies, some males have more female-like plumage, for example, P. m. feminina of central Vanuatu; in others, the female more closely resembles the male. The males of P. m. polymorpha of Makira in the Solomon Islands have two different plumage morphs, including one with no white on the forehead, but with an all rufous-brown head. For a complete list of the differences in subspecies plumage, see above.

Distribution and habitat

Male Pacific robin, central Viti Levu, Fiji 1976.08.02 12.45 pm Pacific robin, Nadarivatu-Nadrau Plateau, Fiji 2897 c.jpg
Male Pacific robin, central Viti Levu, Fiji

The Pacific robin inhabits the islands of the southwestern Pacific. It ranges from Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, through the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and eastwards to Fiji and Samoa. The species is absent from New Caledonia. [4] Across its range the species is resident, although there may be some small localised movements of birds in the non-breeding season. A fossil found on the islands of Ha'apai in Tonga shows that the species once occurred in the group, but is now extinct there. [12]

Breeding

The Pacific robin is a seasonal breeder, although the timing of the breeding season varies across its range. [4] Information on the timing of the season is patchy or absent for many islands. In Vanuatu, the season is from October to January. Parents with young have been seen in mid-August in the Solomon Islands, and in June through to September in Samoa. The species builds a compact nest, which is a cup of plant fibres and spider webs. [13] The outside of the nest is decorated with moss and lichen, and is, therefore, easily overlooked. The nest is usually set into a fork or stump on a tree branch, or on a horizontal branch.

Around two to four eggs are laid in each clutch, with two or three being typical in Fiji. The eggs are dull grey or greenish, and are incubated by the female. The nests of Pacific robins are parastised by fan-tailed cuckoos, where the two species co-occur.

Diet and feeding

Insects, spiders, and pseudoscorpions make up the bulk of the diet of Pacific robins. They generally feed in the lower sections of the forest, although they will ascend to the forest canopy occasionally. They will join with mixed-species feeding flocks to forage. Prey is obtained by aerial flycatching, gleaning, sallying and pouncing, with different populations favouring different methods.

Threats and conservation

The Pacific robin is not considered globally threatened, and is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List . [2] Individual subspecies may be threatened by local habitat loss.

Related Research Articles

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The bird family Petroicidae includes 51 species in 19 genera. All are endemic to Australasia: New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and numerous Pacific Islands as far east as Samoa. For want of an accurate common name, the family is often called the Australasian robins. Within the family species are known variously as robins, scrub-robins and flyrobins. They are only distantly related to the European robin of Europe, north Africa and western Asia, a member of family Muscicapidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern yellow robin</span> Species of songbird native to eastern Australia

The eastern yellow robin is an Australasian robin of coastal and sub-coastal eastern Australia. The extent of the eastern yellow robin's residence is from the extreme southeast corner of South Australia through most of Victoria and the western half of New South Wales and north as far as Cooktown. Tropical Northern Queensland birds are mainly restricted to the warm heights of the Great Dividing Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame robin</span> Small passerine bird native to southeastern Australia

The flame robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. It is a moderately common resident of the coolest parts of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Like the other two red-breasted Petroica robins—the scarlet robin and the red-capped robin—it is often simply called the robin redbreast. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) long, the flame robin has dark brown eyes and a small thin black bill. The male has a brilliant orange-red chest and throat, and a white patch on the forehead above the bill. Its upper parts are iron-grey with white bars, and its tail black with white tips. Female coloration is a muted grey-brown. Its song has been described as the most musical of its genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Island robin</span> Passerine species of bird native to New Zealands South Island

The South Island robin, also known in Māori as the Kakaruwai., is a sparrow-sized bird found only in New Zealand, where it has the status of a protected endemic species. The birds are sparsely distributed through the South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura, although the distribution is not continuous. The nominate, and the Stewart Island robin are the two subspecies. The species is closely related to the North Island robin, and also to the extremely rare black robin of the Chatham Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet robin</span> Songbird species native to southern Australia

The scarlet robin is a common red-breasted Australasian robin in the passerine bird genus Petroica. The species is found on continental Australia and its offshore islands, including Tasmania. The species was originally split in 1999 by Schodde and Mason, and as the original collection by Gmelin was from Norfolk Island, this retained the name of multicolor, and is now known as the Norfolk robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomtit</span> Passerine species of bird native to New Zealand

The tomtit is a small passerine bird in the family Petroicidae, the Australasian robins. It is endemic to the islands of New Zealand, ranging across the main islands as well as several of the outlying islands. In the Māori language, the North Island tomtit is known as miromiro and the South Island tomtit is known as ngirungiru. This bird has several other Māori and English names as well. There are several subspecies showing considerable variation in plumage and size. The species is not threatened and has adapted to the changes made to New Zealand's biodiversity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-capped robin</span> A small passerine bird native to Australia

The red-capped robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. Found in drier regions across much of the continent, it inhabits scrub and open woodland. Like many brightly coloured robins of the family Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 10.5–12.5 cm (4.1–4.9 in) in length, the robin has a small, thin, black bill, and dark brown eyes and legs. The male has a distinctive red cap and red breast, black upperparts, and a black tail with white tips. The underparts and shoulders are white. The female is an undistinguished grey-brown. This species uses a variety of songs, and males generally sing to advertise territories and attract females. Birds are encountered in pairs or small groups, but the social behaviour has been little studied.

<i>Eopsaltria</i> Genus of birds

Eopsaltria is a genus of small forest passerines known in Australia as the yellow robins. They belong to the Australasian robin family Petroicidae. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek for "dawn singer/song" because of their dawn chorus. They are inquisitive and bold birds, and have been reported perching on the shoulders or boots of people in the bush. Open eucalyptus woodlands are their preferred habitat. The ornithologist John Gould likened the behaviour and mannerisms of the eastern and western yellow robin to those of the European robin. The name "yellow robin" itself was applied to the eastern yellow robin by the early settlers of New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-breasted robin</span> Species of songbird native to southwestern Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western yellow robin</span> Species of songbird native to southern Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooded robin</span> Species of songbird native to Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaden flycatcher</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldenface</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-winged robin</span> Species of songbird native to New Guinea

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink robin</span> Species of songbird native to southeastern Australia

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References

  1. ↑ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2010). "Vireos, Crows & Allies". IOC World Bird Names (version 2.4). Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  2. 1 2 BirdLife International (2017). "Petroica pusilla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T103734840A157467789. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T103734840A157467789.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 Schodde R, Mason IJ (1999). The Directory of Australian Birds : Passerines. A Taxonomic and Zoogeographic Atlas of the Biodiversity of Birds in Australia and its Territories. Collingwood, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. pp. x 851 pp. ISBN   0-643-06456-7.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Boles, W (2007) "Family Petroicidae (Australasian Robins)" in del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN   978-84-96553-42-2 P. 483
  5. 1 2 Kearns, A. M. et al. (2016) Norfolk Island Robins are a distinct endangered species: ancient DNA unlocks surprising relationships and phenotypic discordance within the Australo-Pacific Robins. Conservation Genetics 17, 321–335.
  6. ↑ Jobling, James A. "Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird-names" . Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  7. ↑ Boles, p. xv
  8. 1 2 Boles, p. 35
  9. ↑ Gill, F. and D. Donsker, eds. (2020). IOC World Bird List (v 10.1). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.1. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  10. ↑ Sibley CG, Ahlquist JE (1990). Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: A Study in Molecular Evolution. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. pp. 603, 610–27. ISBN   0-300-04085-7.
  11. ↑ Barker, F. Keith; Cibois, Alice; Schikler, Peter A.; Feinstein, Julie & Cracraft, Joel (2004). "Phylogeny and diversification of the largest avian radiation" (PDF). PNAS . 101 (30): 11040–45. Bibcode:2004PNAS..10111040B. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0401892101 . PMC   503738 . PMID   15263073 . Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  12. ↑ Steadman D, (2006). Extinction and Biogeography in Tropical Pacific Birds, University of Chicago Press. ISBN   978-0-226-77142-7
  13. ↑ Bregulla, Heinrich L. (1992) Birds of Vanuatu, Anthony Nelson, Oswestry, England. ISBN   0-904614-34-4 pp.226-227

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