New Zealand Robin - Abstract

Abstract

When using the name New Zealand Robin, one might be referring to any of three separate birds, depending on geographic location within New Zealand. On the North Island the New Zealand robin is (Petroica longipes), a completely different species from the other two subspecies. The South Island robin and the Stewart Island robin, (both still New Zealand robins) are (Petroica australis australis) and (Petroica australis rakiura), respectively. These two subspecies, although they could physically interbreed, are not given the opportunity to do so as they are geographically isolated from one another. All of the New Zealand robins look alike, with only small differences in appearance which differentiate the groups. These birds are endemic to New Zealand, and while they are not technically a threatened species, they have suffered from habitat losses and predation by introduced species because of human interactions with the birds’ native environment. Conservation is therefore aimed at protecting what is left of the (Petroica australis) habitat, and reintroducing populations to areas where the introduced predators have been eradicated.