Petroicidae, Mathews, 1920

Andersen, Michael J., Fatdal, Lilly, Mauck III, William M. & Smith, Brian Tilston, 2017, An ornithological survey of Vanuatu on the islands of Éfaté, Malakula, Gaua, and Vanua Lava, Check List 13 (6), pp. 755-782 : 766

Petroicidae

Petroica multicolor Peale, 1848 , Pacific Robin: Figure 4C, D

The Pacific Robin is a widespread, polytypic taxon that occurs from the Solomon Islands to Samoa. It is easily identifiable based on its tiny size and generally black-and-red plumage with pale forehead and wing patch. Only Cardinal Myzomela ( Myzomela cardinalis ) is superficially similar in plumage, but M. cardinalis has a relatively long, decuved bill, whereas Pacific Robin has a much shorter, straight bill. Its IUCN status is Least Concern. Five subspecies occur in Vanuatu and we recorded 3 during our survey. Petroica multicolor feminina , so named because males have female-like plumage ( Fig. 4C), is endemic to Éfaté; P. m. ambrynensis is widespread across central Vanuatu (Malakula and Gaua on our survey; Fig. 4D); and P. m. soror is endemic to Vanua Lava. We found Pacific Robins to be uncommon on Éfaté and Malakula and rare on Gaua and Vanua Lava. Individuals on Éfaté were vocal and specimens of males had enlarged gonads and seminal vesicles. A female on Gaua had 4 yolks (largest 4 mm). No specimens were molting and stomach contents were arthropods.