| Torrent Robin | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Petroicidae |
| Genus: | Monachella Salvadori, 1874 |
| Species: | M. muelleriana |
| Binomial name | |
| Monachella muelleriana (Schlegel, 1871) |
|
The Torrent Robin (Monachella muelleriana) is a species of bird in the Australasian robin family Petroicidae. It is also known as the Torrent Flyrobin. It is monotypic within the genus Monachella, although it has also been suggested that it should be merged with the genus Microeca, as they are similar in behaviour and anatomy. The species occurs in New Guinea and New Britain. There are two subspecies, the nominate occurring in New Guinea and M. m. coultasi in New Britain. M. m. coultasi may constitute a good species, but more research is needed to establish this. The Torrent Robin is the only species of Australasian robin known to occur in New Britain, although there have been reports of another, as yet undescribed species of flyrobin which awaits discovery by science.
As suggested by its name the Torrent Robin's preferred habitat is fast moving streams and rivers with protruding boulders.