The black-throated robin is a species of passerine bird in the Australisian robin family Petroicidae. It is found on the island of New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests at 1,150–2,750 metres above sea-level.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the central cordillera of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua. It inhabits moist montane and mossy forests, forest edges, and shaded gullies, often with dense understory and epiphyte-laden trees. The species is most frequent in primary forest but also uses well-developed secondary growth. It tends to remain within mid- to lower understory strata, making short foraging sallies. It is generally absent from lowland rainforest and open habitats.
Altitude Range
1150–2750 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-throated robin is a quiet, montane forest specialist of New Guinea’s highlands. It forages by sallying from low perches and gleaning along mossy trunks and the shaded understory. Both sexes look similar and maintain territories year-round. Its stable populations benefit from the relative intactness of high-elevation forests compared to lowland areas.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs holding territories in the understory. Pairs are likely monogamous and nest within dense vegetation or forks, building a small cup nest. It occasionally joins mixed-species flocks but usually forages independently at low to mid-levels.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high, whistled phrases delivered from a shaded perch. Calls include soft tseeps and sharp chips used for contact and alarm. Vocalizations carry modestly through dense forest but are not loud.
Plumage
Compact robin with a distinct black throat and upper breast contrasting with clean whitish underparts; upperparts are olive-brown to gray-brown with a neat, smooth texture. Wings and tail are darker with subtle pale fringes. The face is dusky to blackish, setting off the pale belly.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other small arthropods, including beetles, flies, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans from leaves, bark, and mossy trunks and makes short sallies to capture airborne prey. Occasional small berries may be taken opportunistically, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the shaded understory and lower midstory of montane and mossy forests. Frequently uses perches along trails, fallen logs, and forest edges where visibility for short sallies is better. Often selects areas with dense leaf litter and abundant epiphytes.
