White-rumped robin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-rumped robin |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Peneothello
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| Species: |
bimaculata
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The white-rumped robin (Peneothello bimaculata) is a small, interesting bird that lives in New Guinea. It's part of the Petroicidae family, which are often called Australasian robins. This bird likes to live in warm, wet places like tropical lowland forests and mountain forests.
An Italian scientist named Tommaso Salvadori first described this bird in 1874. Scientists have studied the white-rumped robin to understand its family tree. They now know that these robins are an early branch of the "advanced" songbird group.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the white-rumped robin. One type lives along the southern side of New Guinea's main mountains. The other type, called vicarius, lives in the Huon Peninsula and Adelbert Range.
What Does It Look Like?
The white-rumped robin is a small bird, about 13 to 14 centimeters (5 to 5.5 inches) long. It has mostly black feathers. A special feature is its white rump and the white feathers at the top of its tail. It also has white patches on the sides of its chest.
The color of its belly can be different depending on the subspecies. The main subspecies has a white belly. But the vicarius subspecies has a black belly with some white. Female white-rumped robins look very much like the males. However, their black feathers might have a slight brown tint. Both males and females have a black beak, black feet, and dark brown eyes.
Where Does It Live?
The white-rumped robin lives in the highlands of New Guinea. You can find it at different heights, from about 300 meters (980 feet) up to 1700 meters (5,580 feet) above sea level.
This bird prefers to live in the rainforest. It usually stays in pairs. You might spot them in the lower parts of the forest, called the understory, or even walking on the ground. The white-rumped robin mainly eats insects.
