Nov 4

Bird of the day

White-throated robin

Irania gutturalis

The white-throated robin (Irania gutturalis), or irania, is a small, sexually dimorphic, migratory passerine bird. The vernacular and genus name Irania alludes to Iran, its type locality, while the specific name gutturalis is Medieval Latin for "of the throat". It breeds in western Asia and overwinters in East Africa.

This species is larger than the European robin, having a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) and a wingspan of 28 centimetres (11 in). The breeding male has lead-grey upperparts, a black face with a white throat and supercilium, and orange underparts. The tail is black, as is the strong bill. Females are plainer, mainly grey apart from a black tail, hints of orange on the flanks, and some white throat streaks.

Aliases

Irania gutturalis