Tomtit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tomtit |
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| North Island subspecies (male) | |
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| South Island subspecies (male) | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Petroica
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| Species: |
macrocephala
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The tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) is a small passerine bird. This means it is a type of songbird. It belongs to the Petroicidae family, also known as Australasian robins.
This bird lives only in New Zealand. You can find it on the main islands and several smaller islands nearby. The tomtit has many different names, both in Māori and English. There are several types, called subspecies, which look a bit different in their feathers and size. The tomtit is not an endangered species. It has adapted well to changes in New Zealand's environment.
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What's in a Name?
The name tomtit is a shorter version of tom titmouse. Both names have been used for many small birds. In England, tomtit often referred to the blue tit.
Today, the word "tit" is used for many small birds. This includes birds in the Paridae family. Originally, "tit" just meant any small animal or object.
Tomtit Family Tree
The tomtit is one of four types of Petroica birds found in New Zealand. Their ancestors came from Australia. Scientists once thought the tomtit came from the scarlet robin. However, newer research suggests something different.
It seems there were two separate times when these birds came to New Zealand.
- The North Island robin and South Island robin came from one group.
- The black robin and tomtit came from another group.
Tomtit Subspecies
There are five different subspecies of the tomtit. Each one lives on a specific island or group of islands:
- North Island
- South Island
- Snares Islands
- Chatham Islands
- Auckland Islands
In the past, four of these subspecies were thought to be separate species. But genetic studies show they are very closely related. They only separated into different types recently.
The Māori name for the North Island tomtit is miromiro. The South Island tomtit is known as ngirungiru.
Here are the five subspecies:
- North Island tomtit P. m. toitoi
- South Island tomtit P. m. macrocephala
- Chatham tomtit P. m. chathamensis
- Auckland tomtit P. m. marrineri
- Snares tomtit P. m. dannefaerdi
What Tomtits Look Like
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The tomtit is a small bird. It is about 13 centimeters (5 inches) long and weighs around 11 grams (0.4 ounces). It has a large head and a short bill.
Male vs. Female Tomtits
- The male North Island tomtit has a black head, back, and wings. It has a white stripe on its wings and a white belly.
- Males from South Island, the Chatham Islands, and Auckland Islands look similar. But they have a yellow band across their chest, between the black head and white belly.
- Female tomtits are brown instead of black.
Island Tomtits
The subspecies on the Snares Island is special. It is completely black. Because of this, it is sometimes called the black tit.
Tomtits living on islands can be much bigger than those on the main islands. This is a common pattern called Foster's rule or the island effect. Birds from the main islands weigh about 11 grams. But birds from Snares Island can weigh up to 20 grams!
Tomtit Behaviour
Tomtits mostly eat insects. They are insectivores. Their diet includes small creatures like beetles, caterpillars, spiders, moths, wētā, earthworms, and flies. In winter and autumn, they also eat fruit.
Most tomtits hunt by waiting on a branch. They watch for prey below. Once they spot an insect, they quickly fly down to catch it. They also pick insects off branches and leaves. The Snares Island tomtit also hunts on the ground. It does this in a similar way to the North Island robin or South Island robin.
See also
In Spanish: Petroica carbonera para niños
