The golden-bellied flyrobin is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is native to the Tanimbar Islands.
Region
Wallacea (Maluku Islands)
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the Tanimbar Islands in lowland tropical habitats. It favors forest edges, secondary forest, monsoon woodland, and mangroves, and will also use plantations and gardens with scattered trees. Birds typically forage from the understory to the mid-canopy, often along gaps and light-filled margins. It is generally absent from dense, closed-canopy interiors for long periods but visits to feed along trails and openings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The golden-bellied flyrobin is a small Australasian robin of the family Petroicidae, restricted to Indonesia’s Tanimbar Islands. It actively sallies from low perches to snatch insects mid-air or glean them from foliage. Its bright golden underparts help distinguish it from other local small passerines. Despite its limited range, it tolerates secondary growth and edges, which likely buffers it from moderate habitat change.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season when territories are defended. Forms small family groups after breeding and may join mixed-species flocks along edges. Nests are neat cups placed in forks or on horizontal branches, built from fine fibers and cobwebs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, thin series of high, tinkling notes interspersed with sharp chips. The song is modest and brief, often delivered from a low to mid-level perch, with contact calls given during foraging.
Plumage
Olive-brown to gray-olive upperparts with a cleaner pale throat and a vivid golden to yellow belly and vent. Wings are dusky with subtle pale edging; tail is dark with slightly paler fringes. Feathers are smooth and neat, giving a tidy, compact appearance.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small flying and arboreal insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, and will take small spiders. It uses perch-and-sally tactics to catch aerial prey and also gleans from leaves and twigs. Foraging is methodical but agile, with frequent short flights between perches.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, mangroves, and lightly wooded gardens where visibility for aerial sallies is good. Often hunts from low to mid-level perches near gaps or sunlit foliage.
