Larvivora tanensis
The Izu Robin (*Larvivora tanensis*) is a captivating yet critically endangered passerine, a jewel endemic to a handful of islands within the Izu Archipelago of Japan. Measuring approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length, it is a small, rather robust robin with distinctive plumage. Males boast striking olive-brown upperparts and a contrasting rufous tail, which it often cocks. Their most notable feature is a bold white supercilium, framing dark blackish lores and cheeks, while the throat and ...
This secretive robin primarily inhabits dense, broadleaf evergreen forests, favoring areas with a rich understory and abundant leaf litter, often found near streams or shaded ravines at low to moderate elevations on the Izu Islands.
The diet of the Izu Robin consists almost exclusively of small invertebrates, including insects such as beetles, ants, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods, primarily gleaned from the forest floor and low vegetation.
The Izu Robin is a predominantly diurnal and notoriously shy species, spending most of its time foraging covertly within the dense undergrowth and leaf litter. Its foraging strategy involves active gleaning and probing for small invertebrates, often flicking leaves to expose hidden prey. Males ar...
The Izu Robin is strictly endemic to a few islands within the Izu Archipelago, located south of Honshu, Japan. Its current breeding distribution is severely restricted, primarily to Miyake-jima and Mikura-jima. Historically, it was also present on Kōzu-shima and Hachijo-jima, but populations ther...
Critically Endangered
- The Izu Robin is one of Japan's most critically endangered bird species, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. - It is an island endemic, found only on a handful of volcanic islands within the Izu Archipelago, highlighting its unique evolutionary history. - Despite its 'robin...