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North Island Robin


North Island Robin
Photo Information
Copyright: Jason Searle (Mazer) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 65 W: 3 N: 34] (104)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Tiffen Haze 1
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/30 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Robins of the World, Birds of New Zealand, Eliz strange, exotic or little known species - 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-02 3:25
Viewed: 6427
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Though superficially there is a considerable resemblance between the New Zealand bird called by this name and the true robin of Britain and Europe, the two are not related. The local species belongs to the Muscicapidae or flycatchers, whereas the robin redbreast is one of the Turdidae – the same family that includes blackbirds and song-thrushes. The common name, however, is now so well established that it is fruitless to try to replace it. Scientifically the New Zealand robin is Petroica (Miro) australis and there are four races – one in the North Island, one in the South, one on Stewart Island, and one now restricted to Little Mangere Island in the Chatham group. Differences in size and colour distinguish them. With the exception of the Chatham Island robin, which is wholly black, the other races are sooty grey on head, throat, back, and wings, and whitish or yellowish on the abdomen. Females are duller and smaller than males. Head and eyes are large and the male, in particular, is extremely tame.

Robins occur in the central forested areas of the North Island and are nowhere abundant, although they appear to be maintaining their numbers. Outside of these areas they are rare or absent in the North Island, except on Little Barrier and Kapiti Islands where they are common. In the South Island they are rare in the east south of Marlborough and are absent from a considerable part of Westland. They are locally common on Stewart Island and occur on some of its off-lying islets. On Little Mangere, the Chatham Islands robin population was under 100 at the last count and is in danger of extinction.

As well as being insectivorous, robins eat worms and readily pick up scraps around camp and picnic sites. Much of their time is spent upon the ground searching for food. The breeding season is from October to February. Males defend a territory and the females build a cup-shaped nest in which they incubate two or three eggs for about 18 days.

Robin habitat is usually tall native forest, though nowadays it may sometimes include plantations of introduced pines. Manuka scrub in the vicinity of forest may also be occupied.

The clear sustained song, with its richness and variety of phrasing, is perhaps the finest possessed by any native species.

Information obtained from: http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/R/Robin/Robin/en
Finland_in_Eton, Raptorman, A996sps, coasties, jaycee, MMM, gracious has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To A996sps: TagsMazer 1 05-02 04:48
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Critiques [Translate]

Gorgeous detail and colors ! Lovely POV and well composed. Great use of DOF for making the subject stand out. Super catch light in the eye... the fill flash really did it's job here, perfectly.... all around superb photo. TFS, Mish

Hello Jason , very strange bird , very good photo , TFS.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-05-02 4:05]

Hi Jason,
this is a great capture with amazing quality.
Good composition and POV.
Well done,
Joey

Amazing shot of this lovely bird!
The details are great and the pose is nice.
Excellent use of the fill-in flash!
ANdrea

Hi Jason,
Lovely looking little fella that somewhat resembles some of the fly catchers up around the tropics. Very informative writeup you have added. I note both legs are tagged. Is this normal in NZ that the wildlife department carries this out to see how far they migrate?
Good use of fill flash to get the catchlight in his eyes and to enhance feather details
Cheers,
Phil

Hi Jason,
Excellent capture. Can't say much more. Love to get the opportunity to shoot these guys.
Cheers
Paul

Bonjour,
Charmant volatil à l'oeil bien vif.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hi Jason

What a lovely shot. Love the pose, but the is typical of these cute wee characters. Good catchlight in the eye, clear and tack sharp. :-)

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-05-02 11:30]

Hello Jason,
A superb photo of this Robin. Very sharp, great DOF against a beautiful BG. Good composition and eye-contact. Perfect!!
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-05-02 12:36]

Hi Jason,

A wonderful capture! I never knew there was such a robin. Colors and details are marvelous. I love his sweet expression and the light in his eye. Lovely pose and bg.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2007-05-02 14:04]

Hi Jason

Fabulous shot of the cute Robin, very nice composition with a wonderful pose and POV, the detail is really good with excellent colours and a lovely BG. I have added him to a Robin theme I set up the other day, I know they aren't related to eachother but they all look good together.

TFS Hilary :o)

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2007-05-02 22:26]

Hi Jason
Excellent capture .Sharp image with beautiful BG color,I also like your POV

Hello Jason,
great POV with perfect sharpness, colour and details
great job
cheers
Tony

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