White-throated robin  (Irania gutturalis)

The white-throated robin is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The white-throated robin (Irania gutturalis) is a small, unobtrusive yet boldly marked bird that is rarely seen due to its shy nature (3) (4). This species is so named because of the white throat of the male. The male has a striking appearance, with a black face, blue-grey upperparts and a rufous-orange chest. The female is much less colourful, having a brown-grey head and back. The female also has a scaly buff and grey breast and pale reddish-orange flanks (4) (5). This species is also distinctive due to its long black tail, white vent and reddish sides (5). The juvenile white-throated robin has plumage that resembles the adult female, except that it is spotted (3).

The alarm call of the white-throated robin is a throaty ‘trrr’ (4).

The white-throated robin is found across south west Asia, from Turkey to Afghanistan. It is also found in some countries in Europe, including Sweden, Cyprus and the United Kingdom (6).

The white-throated robin inhabits forests, especially forest edges, as well as woodland, savannah and scrub (2) (6).

The diet of the white-throated robin is predominantly comprised of insects and other arthropods, although it will also feed on fruit in autumn (2). The white-throated robin is mostly arboreal, requiring trees for many aspects of its life cycle. Trees are used as perches and this species often forages among the foliage (3).

The white-throated robin is migratory, wintering in east Africa and flying to breeding grounds from mid-April (5). It breeds on dry rocky slopes, building a nest from items such as dry grass, leaves, and twigs (3) (5). The nesting site is usually in a tree crevice, tree stump, or in the lower part of a tree or shrub (5). The white-throated robin produces a clutch of 4 or 5 eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 14 days. This species will readily defend its nest if threatened (3) (5).

There are currently no known threats affecting the white-throated robin. This species has a large range and fairly large population size (6).

There are no known conservation measures currently in place for the white-throated robin (6).

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

More information on the white-throated robin: 

• BirdLife International - White-throated robin:
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=6607