White-throated Robin
Irania gutturalis
The White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis) is a rare chats, old world flycatchers, and alli found in 30 countries, weighing about 22 g. The white-throated robin or irania is a small, migratory passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, and the only member of the genus Irania.
About the White-throated Robin
The white-throated robin or irania is a small, migratory passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, and the only member of the genus Irania. It breeds on high-altitude mountain slopes with dense scrub in western Asia and winters in East Africa. Males have lead-grey upperparts and bright orange underparts with a namesake white throat patch. Females are duller, with greyer underparts, orange sides, and a fainter white throat compared to the males.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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. The male's song is a fast twittering, given from a bush or in flight. The call of this species is a chis-it double note, like that of the white wagtail.
What the White-throated Robin sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, United Kingdom, Somalia, Norway.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-throated Robin?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-throated Robin?
- The White-throated Robin is a small sized bird weighing about 22 g.
- Where can you see a White-throated Robin?
- The White-throated Robin occurs in 30 countries, including Türkiye, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Iran.
- What does a White-throated Robin sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the White-throated Robin on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a White-throated Robin?
- The White-throated Robin is most easily confused with the Buff-streaked Chat, the Cyprus Wheatear and the Black Scrub Robin.
- Is the White-throated Robin endangered?
- The White-throated Robin is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-throated Robin for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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