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North Island Robin

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New Zealand robins (toutouwai) have large heads with big dark eyes, a white dot above the bill and long slender legs. The male North Island robin (top) is grey with an off-white patch on the belly. The female is slightly paler, with an off-white patch on her breast.

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Video - Listen to the birdsong of the North Island Robin

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Video - Listen to the birdsong of the North Island Robin

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North Island robin/toutouwai

The North Island robin, also known as toutouwai, is a friendly and trusting bird and is found in both native and exotic forests.

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The North Island robin often come close to people, and occasionally stand on a person's boot.

North Island robins measure 18 cm from beak tip to tail tip, and weigh about 35 grams, and so are slightly larger than a house sparrow. They have long, thin legs and an upright stance.

Facts

The North Island robin is one of three sub-species of the New Zealand robin, each found on one of the main islands:

North Island robin (Petroica longipes)

South Island robin (Petroica australis australis)

Stewart Island robin (Petroica australis rakiura)

The first two sub-species are not threatened, but the Stewart Island robin is 'nationally vulnerable' because of the impacts of introduced predators.

They are all New Zealand robins although, strictly speaking, the North Island robin is a completely different species from the other two subspecies.
New Zealand robin
Appearance

North Island robins are dark slaty-grey with a pale greyish-white lower breast and belly. The upper dark feathers have pale shafts and so the birds appear faintly streaked.

Exact colouration depends on age and sex. Males older than three years of age are almost black over the upper parts, while females and most males less than two years old are mainly pale to dark grey above.

Both sexes have a small patch of white feathers at the base of the beak which is kept covered much of the time, occasionally being flashed when interacting with robins and other small forest birds.

Where to find them

The North Island robin is found in native and exotic forests, mainly in the central North Island from Taranaki through to the Bay of Plenty. In addition, populations occur on Little Barrier and Kapiti Islands.

Since 1991, populations have been established on several predator-free islands (Mokoia, Tiritiri Matangi, Tuhua, Matiu/Somes, Mana, Moturoa) and several mainland sites which are encircled by predator-proof fences (Karori Sanctuary, Bushy Park Reserve).

They have also been established in other locations where mammalian predators like rats, stoats and possums, have been controlled to very low levels.

Diet

The robin's diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including species from the size of aphids to those as large as an adult tree weta, stick insect, or earthworm. Items too large to swallow whole are taken to the ground and flung from side to side against the ground or log until broken into pieces.

Although robins are unable to eat such large prey items all at once, the excess is not wasted. Uneaten portions are stored in crevices, holes or depressions on trunks and branches of trees near where the item was found, to be retrieved and eaten later in the day or the next day. In late summer-autumn, when conditions are dry and there is little invertebrate prey available, robins supplement their diet with small berries and fruit.

Breeding and nesting

Although the oldest robin known lived to at least 16 years of age, most have a much shorter lifespan. Both sexes start breeding when one year old. The breeding season of the North Island robin starts in September and extends to February. At sites where food is readily available, pairs rear two, and occasionally three, broods in a season.

The nest, commonly built in a trunk or branch-trunk fork, consists of an outer layer of twigs, fibers and moss bound together with cobwebs. The inner layer consists of moss, fine grasses, and/or tree fern scales.

As well as building the nest on her own, the female incubates her clutch of 2-3, unusually 4, eggs on her own. However, during both of these phases of the nesting cycle, her mate brings her food about 3 times an hour through the day. Incubation lasts about 18 days, chick-rearing about 21 days. The male assists with chick-rearing, and once the chicks have left the nest, each parent looks after particular fledglings.

Songsters of the forest

Male robins are renowned songsters of the forest. From August to December, males spend much time loudly singing from high perches in the canopy, especially in the early morning.

Bachelor males also spend much time through the day giving full song in an attempt to attract a mate. Full song consists of a variety of simple notes strung together and sustained for up to 30 minutes with regular brief pauses.

Sound recording

Threats

During European settlement, and the clearance of much native forest for pasture, the range of the North Island robin declined markedly. But, in the past 30 years there has been little change in its distribution.

Predators

However, not all is well for this robin. Introduced predators, particular ships rats, possums, stoats and feral cats continue to impact robin populations, taking many eggs, nestlings and recent fledglings. In addition, because females carry out all incubation and chick-brooding duties, a significant proportion are killed at night by introduced predators.

What this means

Some males are unable to find mates, and spend much of the breeding season singing to attract one. As well as there being more males than females in many areas, much suitable habitat is occupied by fewer robins than would be expected because of the high incidence of predation. It is only on predator-free islands, in predator-free fenced sanctuaries, or sites where introduced predators are controlled to low numbers that healthy populations of robins exist.

Our work

DOC has established robin populations by translocation at a number of sites in the North Island. This is partly to enable people interested in New Zealand's birdlife to see and hear this interesting species.

DOC has also helped trusts and community groups to establish robins at several other sites.

The robin's trusting nature makes it a favourite with people because they can get close to the bird unlike other native birds.

There are several characteristics of the robin's nature that make it a very tractable species for monitoring:

They can be caught by a variety of methods

Have relatively long legs and so colour-bands can be readily seen

Will approach researchers for a small food (mealworms) handout

Their nests can be readily found and monitored without the birds abandoning them.

This has enabled the survival of individuals and nesting attempts to be monitored by DOC staff to determine the effectiveness of predator control operations.

Toutouwai - Robin's Return project

Toutouwai have been returned to Moehau in the northern Coromandel Peninsula as part of the 'Toutouwai - Robin's Return' project. The aim was to create a self-sustaining population of North Island robin and return the bird to part of their former home.

You can help

There are a couple of ways you can protect robins if they are in your region.

Fence forest blocks

Fence forest blocks to prevent them being grazed by stock. This will enhance their value to robins and other native fauna.

Control predators

You can help control predators (possums, feral cats, rats and stoats) by trapping and poisoning.

By controlling these predators to low numbers, robins can breed much more successfully than otherwise (70% compared to 20%).

As a result, within the first year of such a pest control operation, the robin population often doubles in number, and most males are able to obtain a mate.

Emergency hotline

Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming or killing native wildlife.

Help protect our native birds

When visiting parks, beaches, rivers, and lakes

Check for pests when visiting pest-free islands.

Leave nesting birds alone.

Use available access ways to get to the beach.

Avoid leaving old fishing lines on beaches or in the sea.

Follow the water care code and local navigation bylaws.

Don't drive on riverbeds, or keep to formed tracks if you have to.

When out with your dog

Only take dogs to areas that allow them, and keep them under control.

If you come across wildlife put your dog on a lead and lead it away.

Warn other dog owners at the location.

Notify DOC if you see wildlife being harassed by people or dogs.

Other ways to help

Get your dog trained in avian awareness.

Volunteer to control predators and restore bird habitats.

Set predator traps on your property.

Keep your cat in at night.

Coastal wildlife and your dog flyer (PDF, 1,170K)

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The North Island robin often come close to people, and occasionally stand on a person's boot. North Island robins measure 18 cm from beak tip to tail tip, and weigh about 35 grams, and so are slightly larger than a house sparrow. They have long, thin legs and an upright stance.

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Toutouwai/North Island robin in Tarankai

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Toutouwai/North Island robin in Tarankai

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Almost 100 toutouwai/robin were released on the mounga between 2017 - 2018, so their song is once again heard in the national park. Subsequent monitoring has indicated that these birds are breeding.

A friendly and trusting bird, its habit of nesting close to the ground and in crevices or niches makes it vulnerable to predators. Intensive predator control in the release area allows us to feel confident the birds will have every chance of thriving.

You may first become aware of the presence of robin from the loud, strident territory song heard for much of the year. Males, and in particular bachelors, can be very vocal. Taranaki Mounga is keen to hear of any sightings of toutouwai in the national park so we can better protect the birds - follow this link to find out how.

The North Island robin is slightly larger than a house sparrow, with long thin legs and an upright stance. Its' diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including species from the size of aphids to those as large as an adult tree weta, stick insect, or earthworm. Items too large to swallow whole are taken to the ground and flung from side to side against the ground or log until broken into pieces.

Robins are relatively long lived, surviving as long as 16 years where few or no introduced predators are around. The breeding season begins in September and extends to February. At sites where food is readily available, pairs rear two, and occasionally three, broods in a season.
Did you know.......

Robins use techniques like foot trembling, wing-flicking and tail-flicking to attract their prey

Robins have a patch of white feathers above their beak that they keep hidden most of the time - they can flash this little white patch when interacting with other birds

The oldest known robin lived 16 years, but their life expectancy is three years

Volunteer and keen tramper Kevin Curd. Kevin Curd is a keen tramper and for more than 40 years he and his family have been discovering and rediscovering the wonders of...

Staff from Todd Energy enjoy the view in-between servicing their traplines. Natural gas company Todd Energy have taken the opportunity to support staff health and wellness by combining it with...

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Almost 100 toutouwai/robin were released on the mounga between 2017 - 2018, so their song is once again heard in the national park. Subsequent monitoring has indicated that these birds are breeding. A friendly and trusting bird, its habit of nesting close to the ground and in crevices or niches makes it vulnerable to predators.

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North Island robins are one of three subspecies of robin, each found on one of New Zealand's main islands (North, South, and Stewart Island). Robins are smaller than a starling and larger than a sparrow, weighing around 23 grams. They have a large head, short necks, and stand upright on long thin legs. Adults are dark grey with a light chest and belly and a white spot above their bill.

Robins are noisy, active, and inquisitive. They are one of New Zealand's most fearless and curious birds, usually venturing within a few metres of people and occasionally hopping on boots. They often come to the ground to hunt for invertebrates in the leaf litter. They are one of the first birds to sing in the morning and the last to sing at night. The morning song consists of a high to low scale, uttered in quick succession. The evening performance is a short, rather melancholic chirping note, repeated quickly.

During breeding season, the male patrols and sings from prominent perches. Because females spend a significant amount of time near the ground foraging, building her nest, and incubating eggs, they are more vulnerable to predation and there is often a disproportionately higher number of males than females. Strong and balances populations are only found in areas where pest control is carried out.

This species was extinct in the lower North Island until 76 birds were transferred to ZEALANDIA from Kapiti Island in 2001 and 2002. Robins have adapted very well to life here and they are now found throughout the sanctuary. They were even the first species to be transferred out of ZEALANDIA to support a new population on Matiu/Somes Island.

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North Island robins are one of three subspecies of robin, each found on one of New Zealand's main islands (North, South, and Stewart Island). Robins are smaller than a starling and larger than a sparrow, weighing around 23 grams. They have a large head, short necks, and stand upright on long thin legs.

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North Island Robin

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North Island robin are well known from exotic plantation forests, particularly more mature plantations with a subcanopy of indigenous shrubs. Robins from plantation forestry areas have been used in translocations to other areas in the North Island.

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Facts North Island Robin

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North Island Robin

The North Island Robin is considered a separate species from the South Island and Stewart Island Robins. It is characterised by dark slate grey upper parts with an irregular shaped patch of white on its chest, long thin legs and an upright stance. The female is generally browner and lighter coloured than the male.

Robins are found mainly in mature native forests, common in beech or podocarp forest, and in manuka or kanuka scrub. They are territorial all year round but especially so in the breeding season. They usually mate with the same partner year after year.

Robins are extremely bold and fearless and will approach humans with curiosity. They feed on insects, grubs and worms on the forest floor and are often seen to tremble one leg to cause a vibration in the ground to induce prey to move. They can be enticed to approach closer by clearing a patch of leaf litter to expose potential food.

The adult male has a loud and clear song consisting of a variety of simple notes strung together and often sustained for 30 minutes with short pauses. They also have a short 'chirp' contact call.

New Zealand robins, like their close relatives the Australian robins, were so-named because of superficial similarities to the European robin. As well as their endearing tendency to approach anyone likely to disturb invertebrates in the soil, their shape and stance resemble those of the European robin. They are not closely related, however, the European robin belonging to the thrush family.

You can find out lots more about the North Island robin at New Zealand Birds Online.

eferences: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.

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North Island Robin - Tiritiri Matangi Project

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The North Island Robin is considered a separate species from the South Island and Stewart Island Robins. It is characterised by dark slate grey upper parts with an irregular shaped patch of white on its chest, long thin legs and an upright stance. The female is generally browner and lighter coloured than the male.

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Facts about the North island Robin and hear its sound

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The North Island robin occurs in forest and scrub habitats. It can be recognised by its erect stance and relatively long legs, and spends much time foraging on the ground. It is a territorial species, males in particular inhabiting the same patch of mainland forest of 1-5 ha throughout their lives. Male are great songsters, particularly bachelors, singing loudly and often for many minutes at a time. Where robins are regularly exposed to people, such as along public walking tracks, they become quite confiding, often approaching to within a metre of a person sitting quietly. Naïve juveniles will sometimes stand on a person's boot.
Identification
Male North Island robins exhibit delayed plumage maturation whereby the plumage becomes darker at each of the first 2-3 annual moults. Males at independence are a light grey or dark grey colouration, like females. Most males achieve adult colouration (generally dark grey-black) at their second moult when 19-22 months old, but a small proportion take another year before becoming blackish, and a few seem to remain dark grey throughout their lives. Males breed successfully whether they are light grey (< 12 months old), dark grey or blackish. Many contour feathers of North Island robins have pale shafts and this gives the species its faintly streaked appearance. Both sexes have a pale grey-white patch over the lower chest-belly, and are able to expose a small white spot of feathers above the base of the beak during intraspecific and interspecific interactions.

Voice: North Island robins have four recognisable vocalisations. Fullsong is a series of phrases given loudly by males only, generally from a high perch. Robins can be heard giving fullsong year round, but particularly during the breeding season. It is used to indicate territorial occupancy and to attract a mate - bachelors spend much more time singing than paired males. Subsong is similar to fullsong but given at much less volume, is given by both sexes, and most frequently during the moult. The downscale is a series of very loud 'chuck' calls, descending in frequency, and which start in rapid succession and finish slowly. The call lasts 3-4 seconds, is given by both sexes, and is most frequently heard in the non-breeding season (Jan-Aug). The fourth vocalisation type is the 'chuck', which is given as single notes (contact calls) or in rapid succession and loudly (alarm call) when a predator is present.

Similar species: there is no similar species to the robin in North Island forest. It is much larger and lacks the white wing-bars of the tomtit.
Distribution and habitat
This robin is restricted to the central North Island from Taranaki to the Bay of Plenty, plus Little Barrier and Kapiti Islands. Several populations beyond these areas have been established by translocations. Robin distribution can be quite patchy even within extensive blocks of mature native forest. A comparison of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand's atlas scheme results of 1969-79 and 1999-2004 indicate that the North Island robin's distribution in the central North Island has changed little during the 20 year interval. However, as a result of translocations its distribution has been enhanced with the establishment of populations on some pest-free islands and in pest-controlled mainland sites.

Robins occur in mature forest, tall scrub, and exotic plantations, particularly those that are fairly mature and have patches of shrubs as an understorey. They seem to favour moist areas where there is an open understorey under a closed canopy.
Population
Formerly widespread over the North Island, robins are now restricted mainly to extensive forest blocks in the centre of the island. It is patchily distributed through this area, being absent from seemingly suitable areas and common in others. Pairs have territories of 1-5 ha, although populations on pest-free islands can occur at much greater densities (0.2-0.6 ha / pair).
Threats and conservation
Forest clearance for farmland during the 19th and 20th centuries resulted in loss of habitat of the North Island robin. Today the main threat to its conservation is predation by introduced mammalian predators, such as feral cats, stoats, possums, and particularly the ubiquitous and arboreal ship rat. Eggs, nestlings and adult females (which carry out incubation and brooding of young at night) are frequently preyed upon where predators are not controlled. As a result populations become male biased. Where pest control is carried out, populations increase rapidly, and the sex ratio returns to almost 1:1 within a few years - there are usually a few more males than females.
Breeding
North Island robins start nesting in September. The female builds the nest, the male bringing her food 2-3 times per hour. Many nests are sited against tree trunks; in trunk forks, at trunk-branch junctions, on epiphytes next to trunks. Only females incubate, their clutches usually consisting of 2-3 eggs. Her mate calls her from the nest every 20 minutes or so to provide her with food. Once nestlings are more than 5 days old, males take all food to their broods rather than to their mates. Nestlings leave the nest when about 3 weeks old, and continue to be fed by their parents for a further 5-6 weeks.
Behaviour and ecology
Male robins are territorial year round, although their aggression towards intruders is subdued during the moult. Pairs remain in their territories most of the time, occasionally sneaking into neighbouring territories to feed or go elsewhere to drink and bathe. Males dominate their mates during the non-breeding season, such that pair members are usually found apart. Some females change mates, which has occurred during the breeding season and non-breeding season. Females have left their mates after successfully fledging a brood (male rears the fledglings) and after predation of eggs or nestlings.

Robins use a variety of activities to flush hidden or camouflaged prey, such as foot trembling, wing-flicking and tail-flicking. Occasionally they capture relatively large prey. These are killed, dismembered, and some portions are often cached. These are usually retrieved later the same day or the following one.
Food
While robins spend much time foraging on the ground, in tall forests they also forage over trunks and branches, especially those that are covered in epiphytes, such as mosses. Much of their diet consists of invertebrates, and they also eat small ripe fruit in summer and autumn, particularly during drought when few soil-dwelling invertebrates are available.
Websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island_Robin http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/land-birds/north-island-robin-toutouwai/ References
Alexander, L; Duthie, C.; Fyfe, J.; Haws, Z.; Hunt, S.; Montoya, I.; Ochoa, C.; Siva, A.; Stringer, L.; Van Horik, J; Burns, K.C. 2005. An experimental evaluation of food hoarding by North Island robins ( Petroica australis longipes). Notornis 52: 138-142.

Berggren, A.; Armstrong, D.P.; Lewis, R.M. 2004. Delayed plumage maturation increases overwinter survival in North Island robins. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B 271: 2123-2130.

Higgins, P.J.; Peter, J.M. (eds). 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic birds. Vol. 6, pardalotes to shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Miskelly, C.M.; Powlesland, R.G. 2013. Conservation translocations of New Zealand birds, 1863-2012. Notornis 60: 3-28.

Powlesland, R.G. 1983. Seasonal and diurnal variation in vocal behaviour of the South Island robin. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 10: 225-232.

Powlesland, R.G. 2002. Delayed plumage maturation in the male North Island robin ( Petroica longipes). Notornis 49: 263-265.

Robertson, C.J.R.; Hyvonen, P.; Fraser, M.J.; Pickard, C.R. 2007. Atlas of bird distribution in New Zealand, 1999-2004. Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Wellington.

Robertson, H.A; Baird, K.; Dowding, J.E.; Elliott, G.P.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Miskelly, C.M.; McArthur, N.; O'Donnell, C.F.J.; Sagar, P.M.; Scofield, R.P.; Taylor, G.A. 2017. Conservation status of New Zealand birds, 2016. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 19. Wellington, Department of Conservation. 27 p.
Recommended citation
Powlesland, R.G. 2013 [updated 2017]. North Island robin. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz

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North Island robin | New Zealand Birds Online

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The North Island robin occurs in forest and scrub habitats. It can be recognised by its erect stance and relatively long legs, and spends much time foraging on the ground. It is a territorial species, males in particular inhabiting the same patch of mainland forest of 1-5 ha throughout their lives.