The ashy robin, also known as the black-cheeked robin, is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae native to New Guinea.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Found throughout the central cordillera of New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane and mossy forests with dense understory. Birds keep close to shadowed ravines, stream gullies, and forest edges, often near fallen logs and leaf litter. It tolerates lightly disturbed forest but avoids open habitats.
Altitude Range
800–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The ashy robin, also called the black-cheeked robin, is a quiet understory specialist of New Guinea’s montane forests. It often forages close to the ground in shaded, mossy habitats and can be easily overlooked due to its muted plumage and shy behavior. Its steady presence makes it a good indicator of intact high-elevation forest.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within well-defined territories. Nests are neat cups placed low in shrubs or saplings, often overhanging gullies or streams. Both adults participate in parental care, and fledglings remain close to cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft series of thin, high-pitched whistles given from concealed perches. Calls include sharp tssip notes and quiet, sibilant contact calls. Vocalizations can be easily masked by stream noise in its preferred habitat.
Plumage
Uniform ashy-grey to slate upperparts with paler grey underparts and a whitish throat and belly. Face shows darker, dusky cheeks forming a subtle mask, set off by a small pale crescent behind the ear coverts. Wings are plain grey-brown with minimal patterning.
Diet
Primarily takes small arthropods such as beetles, spiders, ants, and caterpillars gleaned from leaf litter and low foliage. It occasionally snatches small insects in short sallies from low perches. Fruit is rarely taken and is not a major component of its diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages on or near the forest floor in shaded understory, along stream banks, and among fallen logs. Often works slowly through dense vegetation, pausing to scan and glean prey. Uses cover to remain concealed while feeding.
