Torrent flyrobin

Torrent flyrobin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Petroicidae
Genus: Monachella
Salvadori, 1874
Species: M. muelleriana
Binomial name
Monachella muelleriana
(Schlegel, 1871)

The torrent flyrobin (Monachella muelleriana) is a species of bird in the Australasian robin family Petroicidae. It is also known as the torrent robin. It is monotypic within the genus Monachella, although it has also been suggested that it should be merged with the genus Microeca, as they are similar in behaviour and anatomy. The species occurs in New Guinea and New Britain. There are two subspecies, the nominate occurring in New Guinea and M. m. coultasi in New Britain. M. m. coultasi may constitute a good species, but more research is needed to establish this. The torrent flyrobin is the only species of Australasian robin known to occur in New Britain, although there have been reports of another, as yet undescribed species of flyrobin which awaits discovery by science.

As suggested by its name the torrent flyrobin's preferred habitat is fast moving streams and rivers with protruding boulders.

References


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