Buff-sided Robin

The Buff-sided Robin (Poecilodryas cerviniventris), a small passerine bird, graces the riparian forests and monsoon vine thickets of northern Australia with its presence. This diurnal, insectivorous species is a member of the Petroicidae family, often referred to as Australo-Papuan or Australasian robins. The adult's plumage is a tapestry of nature's artistry, featuring a dark hood and back, a striking white supercilium, and a white throat. The wings and tail boast white bars, while a buff to orange patch adorns the flank below the wings. Males and females share a similar appearance, though males tend to be larger and can be distinguished by morphological measurements.

Identification Tips

To identify the Buff-sided Robin, look for the dark hood, white supercilium, and the buff to orange flank patch. The white wing and tail bars are also distinctive. Males are generally larger than females, with differences in weight, head length, bill length, tarsus, and wing cord length.

Habitat

This species thrives in dense riparian vegetation and monsoon vine thickets, preferring thickets of freshwater mangrove, pandanus, and bamboo. It is closely associated with closed canopy vegetation communities and is rarely found in drier, more open forest types.

Distribution

Endemic to northern Australia, the Buff-sided Robin's range spans from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, across the Top End of the Northern Territory, to the north-western Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland.

Behaviour

The Buff-sided Robin is a ground forager, adept at sallying from perches to capture insects. It is typically found within 0 to 3 meters of the ground surface. This bird is resident or sedentary, with males maintaining discrete territories over many years.

Song & Calls

Both sexes emit similar calls, characterized by clear, sweet notes. They are most vocal during the early morning and late afternoon, producing sequences of short, loud, clear whistling notes, or a series of variably pitched, loud whistles.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from October to March, with nests built close to water in dense vegetation. The clutch size is usually two eggs, which vary in color from light green to dark olive-green with reddish-brown markings. The time between hatching and fledging is not well documented.

Similar Species

The White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa) is similar but can be differentiated by the Buff-sided Robin's larger size, thicker and longer white supercilium, duskier upper back, and broader black face band.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of various insects, including beetles, ants, and larval moths and butterflies. Prey is captured predominantly by sallying from a perch or occasionally by hawking on the wing or gleaning from vegetation.

Conservation Status

The Buff-sided Robin is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a suspected declining trend due to habitat destruction and degradation. It faces threats from pastoralism, feral animals, altered fire regimes, and climate change. However, it is found in several conservation reserves across its range, which may help mitigate some threats.