May 14

Bird of the day

Black-chinned robin

Poecilodryas brachyura

The black-chinned robin (Leucophantes brachyurus) is a species of bird in the Australasian robin family Petroicidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Leucophantes. It is found in northern New Guinea where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Measuring 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 6 in), the black-chinned robin has a dark brown to black head and upperparts, with a prominent white stripe or "eyebrow" above the eye. The chin is black immediately under the bill. Its tail is markedly shorter than other Australasian robins. The throat and underparts are white, and there is a white bar on the otherwise dark-plumaged wing. The bill is black, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs pale brown or pink. Its song is a descending series of notes, which resembles that of the fan-tailed cuckoo.

Aliases

Poecilodryas brachyura