Black-sided Robin

Overview

The black-sided robin, also known as the pied robin, is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is widespread throughout New Guinea and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in) long with black and white plumage.
• Upperparts, including the crown, nape, back, wings, and tail, are black or brownish-black, along with an eye-stripe.
• White eyebrows, throat, underparts, and a white patch on the wings.
• Black bill, dark brown eyes, and grey or pink legs.

Habitat

Found across New Guinea from the Huon Peninsula west to the western limits of West Papua and West Papuan Islands, but absent from the trans-fly region in the south. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, predominantly lowland rainforests and swamp forests from sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). Within the rainforest, it is found singly or in pairs in the understory or on the ground.

Diet

The black-sided robin is insectivorous. It hunts by gleaning and snatching insects from tree trunks and branches, and on the ground.

Did you know?

Shy by nature, it is more often heard than seen. Sibley and Ahlquist's DNA-DNA hybridisation studies placed this group in a Corvida parvorder, but subsequent molecular research places the robins as a very early offshoot of the Passerida within the songbird lineage.