| White-eyed robin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Petroicidae |
| Genus: | Pachycephalopsis |
| Species: | P. poliosoma |
| Binomial name | |
| Pachycephalopsis poliosoma Sharpe, 1882 | |
The white-eyed robin (Pachycephalopsis poliosoma) is a medium-sized bird weighing between 35 and 42 grams and measuring around 15 to 16.5 centimeters in length. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Habitat
Its natural habitats is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It lives in the hills and montane forests of New Guinea, where it prefers areas with lots of plants and trees. These spots provide good cover and plenty of places to find food. The white-eyed robin often sits on low branches, where it keeps an eye on the ground below, looking for prey. Its habitat is similar to that of other robins, like the blue-gray (Thraupis episcopus) and smoky robins (Peneothello cryptoleuca). Still, they each tend to stick to different levels within the forest. This helps them avoid competing by giving each species its own space to live and find food. The fact that the white-eyed robin shares its habitat with many other species shows how adaptable it is to New Guinea’s forests. These forests vary greatly in temperature and elevation, so being flexible is essential.
Description
It is dark grey with a black eye-stripe, a brown tail and a white throat. Its bill is short and its eyes are brown. It has a strong, sturdy body with gray feathers that are slightly lighter on the belly. Its face and wings are darker, which makes its pale eyes stand out. Its eyes contrast against its dark facial features and gray throat, making it easy to recognize this robin species.
Behavior
The white-eyed robin mainly eats insects, and it hunts using a “sit-and-wait” approach. It perches quietly on a low branch, watching for any movement below that could mean food. Sometimes, when it has the chance, it will eat eggs or nestlings, too. The white-eyed robin is known best for its unique sound, which starts as a loud, raspy whistle. As it continues, the sounds become rougher and quicker, like it’s getting excited or agitated. Its loud whistle is used for several purposes, calling for a mate or warning others to stay away from its territory are examples. Its very recognizable sound helps the bird communicate within its environment and even alert others to danger.
Conservation status
Currently, the white-eyed robin is not facing any urgent threats. However, its habitat is at risk due to deforestation and other human activities. More research could help us understand its role in the environment and whether any specific conservation efforts are needed to protect it.
References
- BirdLife International (2016). "Pachycephalopsis poliosoma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22704920A93990892. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704920A93990892.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ Boles, Walter (2020). "White-eyed Robin (Pachycephalopsis poliosoma), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.wherob1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Pachycephalopsis poliosoma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22704920A93990892. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704920A93990892.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "White-eyed Robin - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ "White-eyed Robin (Pachycephalopsis poliosoma) - BirdLife species factsheet". datazone.birdlife.org. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Pachycephalopsis poliosoma | |
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