Ashy robin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ashy robin |
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Heteromyias
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| Species: |
albispecularis
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The ashy robin (Heteromyias albispecularis) is a cool bird from New Guinea. It's also known as the black-cheeked robin. This bird belongs to the Petroicidae family, which are often called Australasian robins.
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About the Ashy Robin
What's in a Name?
The ashy robin is one of three birds in its group, called Heteromyias. An Italian scientist named Tommaso Salvadori first described this bird in 1874.
Scientists used to think the ashy robin was the same as the grey-headed robin from Australia. They also once thought the black-capped robin was just a type of ashy robin. But now, thanks to new studies, we know they are different species.
What Does it Look Like?
The ashy robin is a strong, medium-sized bird. It measures about 15 to 18 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long.
It has a dark, sooty black head and cheeks. You can spot a white stripe that goes from its eyes upwards and backwards. Its throat is white, and its belly is a light buff color. The top part of its body is olive-brown. It also has a white patch on its dark wings.
The bird's beak is grey-black, its eyes are dark brown, and its legs are a pale pink.
Where Does it Live?
You can find the ashy robin in the mountain ranges of New Guinea. This includes both West Papua and Papua New Guinea. They live at high altitudes, usually from 1,400 to 2,600 meters (4,600 to 8,500 feet) above sea level.
These robins prefer to live in rainforests. You'll often see them alone or sometimes in pairs. They usually stay in the lower parts of the forest or on the ground.
Ashy Robin Habits
What Do They Eat?
Ashy robins are insectivores, which means they eat insects. They hunt for their food by picking it off plants or snatching it from the ground. Their diet includes ants, beetles, stick insects, centipedes, and earthworms.
How Do They Build Nests?
The ashy robin builds a shallow, cup-shaped nest. They make it from things like bark, grass, small twigs, and dry leaves. They use spider webs to help hold the nest together or fill in gaps.
They usually place their nests in hidden spots, about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) above the ground. The female robin lays just one egg. The egg is usually cream or olive-white. It has light brown or purple-red spots, mostly around the wider end. Each egg is about 24 by 20 millimeters (0.9 by 0.8 inches) in size.
