White-winged robin

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White-winged robin
White-winged Robin (2914587778).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Petroicidae
Genus: Melanodryas
Species:
M. sigillata
Binomial name
Melanodryas sigillata
(De Vis, 1890)
Synonyms
  • Peneothello sigillatus
  • Peneothello sigillata

The white-winged robin (Melanodryas sigillata) is a species of bird in the Australasian robin family Petroicidae.

Contents

Taxonomy

The white-winged robin was formally described in 1890 as Poecilodryas sigillata by the English naturalist Charles Walter De Vis based on a specimen collected on Mount Victoria in southeast New Guinea. [2] [3] The specific epithet is from Latin meaning "adorned with little figures" from "sigilla" meaning "image", "little figure" or "mark". [4] The white-winged robin was formerly placed in the genus Peneothello, [3] [5] but based on the results of a 2011 molecular genetic study of the Australasian robins by Les Christidis and coworkers, in 2025 the genus Peneothello was merged into a more broadly defined Melanodryas . [6] [7]

Three subspecies are recognised: [7]

Description

Measuring 14 to 15 centimetres (5.5 to 5.9 in), the adult white-winged robin has black plumage, with largely white wings. The male and female are identical. The bill and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown. Juveniles have a variable streaked brown plumage. [8]

Distribution and habitat

The white-winged robin is found in the New Guinea Highlands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea at elevations of 2,400 to 3,900 metres (7,900 to 12,800 ft) and is replaced by the slaty robin at lower elevations.

Behaviour

Within the forest the robin is found in pairs or small troops of several birds in the understory or on the ground. It is insectivorous, but does also eat some seeds. [8] The somewhat bulky cup-shaped nest is constructed in a tree fork. [8]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Peneothello sigillata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T22704886A93990100. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704886A93990100.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ↑ De Vis, Charles Walter (1890). "Appendix G. Report on birds from British New Guinea". In MacGregor, William MacGregor (ed.). British New Guinea. Annual report by Her Majesty's administrator of the government, from 4th September 1888 to 30th June 1889. Melbourne: Robert S Brain Government Printer. pp. 58-61 [59].
  3. 1 2 Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1986). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 11. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 578.
  4. ↑ Jobling, James A. "sophiae". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Dickinson, E.C.; Christidis, L., eds. (2014). The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2: Passerines (4th ed.). Eastbourne, UK: Aves Press. p. 260. ISBN   978-0-9568611-2-2.
  6. ↑ Christidis, L.; Irestedt, M.; Rowe, D.; Boles, W.E.; Norman, J.A. (2011). "Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA phylogenies reveal a complex evolutionary history in the Australasian robins (Passeriformes: Petroicidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 61 (3): 726–738. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.08.014.
  7. 1 2 AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi: 10.2173/avilist.v2025 . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Coates, Brian J. (1990). The Birds of Papua New Guinea. Volume II. Queensland: Dove Publications. pp. 197–98. ISBN   978-0-9590257-1-2. OCLC   153651608.
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