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Home | Bird Species Profiles | Introducing the Pekin Robin (Japanese Nightingale, Hill Tit, Red-Billed Leiothrix), Leiothrix lutea – Part 2

Introducing the Pekin Robin (Japanese Nightingale, Hill Tit, Red-Billed Leiothrix), Leiothrix lutea – Part 2

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird Species Profiles February 11, 2009 2 Comments 8521 Views

Please see Part I of this article for additional information.

Natural History

Ranging from the southern Himalayas to eastern China and south into Myanmar, Pekin robins are largely birds of high-altitudes.  They frequent forest underbrush and clearings on mountainsides, and are rarely seen out in the open.  They will also forage on farms and in gardens, where they are much appreciated for their insect-catching abilities.

Pekin robins reach only 6 inches in length, and are attractively clad in olive-green.  The throat is yellow, blending with orange at the breast.  The black and yellow banded red flight feathers show nicely when the wings are folded.

Space Requirements

Despite their small size, Pekin robins need a great deal of space, and should be housed in an aviary whenever possible.  Their feeding mode keeps them on the move all day long, and they will fall into repetitive behaviors if cramped in captivity.

Hailing from mountain-side forests, they are very cold tolerant.  If provided with a warm shelter and gradually acclimated, Pekin robins can be housed outdoors year-round throughout much of the USA.  This renders them an ideal choice for those seeking an unusual bird that does not require a great deal of indoor space.

Insects and Other Dietary Needs

Pekin robins require a diet rich in insects – they cannot crack or grind seeds.  A good insectivorous bird mix should form the base of their diet. Small crickets, mealworms, waxworms and wild-caught insects are all relished.  I believe that the provision of a wide variety of insects is key to success with these birds, and urge you to use a ZooMed Bug Napper Insect Trap  to catch your own whenever possible.  ZooMed Anole Food (dried insects) is also worth trying, and egg food is almost always accepted.

Fruit figures importantly in the diet of wild Pekin robins…berries, oranges, apples, banana, papaya and a host of others should be provided daily.  Many individuals will also accept small amounts of carrot, broccoli and other vegetables.

 

An interesting article describing field research on a population of feral Pekin robins that has become established in Japan is posted at:

http://ss.ffpri.affrc.go.jp/labs/kanko/400-5.pdf

Image referenced from Wikipedia.

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2 comments

  1. avatar
    Donald Legere
    March 16, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    Looking for pekin robin (male and female in florida , if anyone knows breeder please contact me ..

  2. avatar
    findiviglio
    March 16, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Hello Donald, Frank Indiviglio here,

    I have sent out some emails on behalf of a friend who is also interested in a pair…if I hear anything, I will post a note here on Wednesday,

    Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

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I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.
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