The Solomons robin is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is found in the Solomon Islands.
Region
Melanesia (Solomon Islands)
Typical Environment
This species inhabits primary and secondary tropical rainforest, as well as forest edges and selectively logged forest where understory cover remains. It typically forages in the shaded understory and lower midstory, perching quietly before darting to the ground or nearby foliage for prey. It can persist in moderately disturbed habitat if sufficient leaf litter and shrub layer exist. Denser, moist valleys and riparian forest are frequently used. In more intact sites, it occurs from interior forest to ecotones near gardens.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Solomons robin is a forest-dwelling Australasian robin of the family Petroicidae, found on islands within the Solomon Islands. It keeps close to shaded understory and midstory perches where it watches for insects before making short sallies to catch them. Pairs defend small territories and often remain in the same patch of forest year-round.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs within small territories. Pairs maintain contact with soft calls and may remain bonded across seasons. Nests are typically neat cups placed on forks of small branches or in saplings, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The song is a series of clear, soft whistles and short phrases delivered from a shaded perch. Calls include thin ‘tsit’ notes and quiet ticking sounds used for contact within dense foliage.
Plumage
A small, compact robin with plain to slightly mottled upperparts and cleaner, paler underparts; often shows a subtle pale wing bar and faint edging on the tail. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy in the understory humidity, aiding a rounded, stocky look.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as beetles, spiders, ants, and caterpillars. It uses perch-and-sally tactics, dropping to the leaf litter or flicking to nearby leaves to glean prey. Occasional small fruits or seeds may be taken opportunistically, but insects dominate the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory, along fallen logs, and among leaf litter where prey is abundant. Also feeds at forest edges and along trails or stream margins where visibility for sallying is good.
