Dusky robin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusky robin |
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Melanodryas
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vittata
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The dusky robin (Melanodryas vittata) is a small bird that lives only in Tasmania, an island in Australia. It's part of the Australian robin family, called Petroicidae. Even though it's called a robin, it's not related to the robins you might see in Europe or North America. This bird has brown feathers and likes to live in open forests.
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About the Dusky Robin
How it Got its Name
French scientists Jean Quoy and Joseph Gaimard first described the dusky robin in 1832. They thought the bird they studied came from a different place. But it actually came from Tasmania.
They gave it the scientific name Muscicapa vittata at first. For many years, it was known as Petroica vittata. Now, it belongs to the group of birds called Melanodryas.
People in Tasmania gave it other names too. Early settlers called it the 'stump robin'. This was because it often sat on tree stumps or fence posts. Other local names include 'wood robin' and 'sad robin'.
What it Looks Like
The dusky robin is about 16 to 17 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. It doesn't have bright colors like some other robins. Both male and female birds look very similar.
Their upper body is greyish- or olive-brown. They have a thin white edge on their shoulders. There is also a white patch on their wings. Their throat is white, and their belly is a pale brown color. The tail feathers are brown with white edges. The bird has a black beak, and its eyes and legs are brownish-black.
Where it Lives
The dusky robin is found only in Tasmania. This means it is an endemic bird to that island. It is quite common there.
It prefers to live in open Eucalyptus forests. It also likes coastal areas with low, bushy plants called heath.
Raising a Family
Dusky robins usually breed from July to December. They can raise one or two groups of chicks each year.
They build their nests in a tree fork or on a tree stump. Often, they choose stumps that have been blackened by fire. The nest is a neat cup shape. It is made from grass and tree bark. These nests are usually only two or three meters (6 to 10 feet) off the ground.
A female robin lays two to four eggs. The eggs are pale olive to blue-green. They have darker green and brown spots. Each egg measures about 22 by 17 millimeters (0.9 by 0.7 inches).
Images for kids
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Juvenile dusky robin
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An adult dusky robin
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Distribution map of dusky robin in Tasmania
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Dusky robin eggs
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An adult (likely female) dusky robin feeding a juvenile robin a cricket.
See also
In Spanish: Petroica de Tasmania para niños
