Petroica | |
---|---|
Petroica longipes | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Petroicidae |
Genus: |
Petroica Swainson, 1829 |
Species | |
13; see text |
13; see text
Petroica is a genus of Australasian robins, named due to their red and pink markings. They are not closely related to the European robin nor the American robin. The generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek words petro- "rock" and oikos "home", from birds' habits of sitting on rocks.
Many species in Australia have a red breast and are known colloquially as "red robins" as distinct from the "yellow robins" of the genus Eopsaltria.
The genus contains the following 13 species: