The Robin That Doesn't Belong

Earlier this week, an article was published in the journal Zootaxa announcing the discovery of a new species of bird that lives in the forests of Gabon, Africa. The article revealed various details about the size and coloration of the bird and in some instances the report sounded as if it were penned by a boasting parent:

"The brilliant orange ‘flame’ colored throat of this species outshines the others in the genus." (Schmidt 2008: 31)

As is often the case with the declaration of a new species, there was particular excitement surrounding the selection of the animal's name. This decision was announced in the report with no less enthusiasm:

"The combined Greek name is meant to describe: A stout/sturdy bird (Stiphrornis) that bears a flame colored throat (pyrrholaemus). Combined with the English common name of Olive-backed Forest Robin which highlights the distinctive olive back and rump, the bird is aptly described by its names." (Schmidt 2008: 31)

So there it is, the little newfound bird of Gabon's deep forest is the proud owner of the rather charming name: Olive-Backed Forest Robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus).

Thus decorated with a well-contemplated name, the newly described bird soon received a warm welcome from the world's media as simply 'a new species of robin'. Such phrasing is not a surprising choice for a headline, since 'robin' is less of a tongue-twisting mouthful than 'Olive-Backed Forest Robin' or 'Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus'. These longer, more eloquent names can be buried with the lead so to speak, somewhere in the first several paragraphs (as I have done here).

Of course this is not to say that any of this is problematic: the bird is indeed a robin. Whatever a robin is. Most birdwatchers or avian enthusiasts may know better than me what the common name robin means. As far as I can tell, the name robin has been tossed around quite freely and simply means a bird with a red breast. Usually. Sometimes it is more orange than red.

As an illustration of how common names can be poor indicators of taxonomic relationships, I have four birds for you to consider. They include (shown left-to-right in the photo below):

(A) Olive-Backed Forest Robin (Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus)
(B) European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
(C) Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
(D) American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

Your task is to identify the one bird that is least like the others. Which bird doesn't belong (and why)?

Top and A: Photo © Brian Schmidt / Smithsonian. A male specimen of the newly-discovered Olive-Backed Forest Robin.
B: Photo © Gertjan Hooijer / Shutterstock. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula).
C: Photo © Andrew Howe / iStockphoto. Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca).
D: Photo © Natureniche / iStockphoto. American Robin (Turdus migratorius).

References:

• Schmidt B.K., Foster J.T., Angehr, G.R, Durrant K.L., & Fleischer R.C. 2008. A New Species of African Forest Robin from Gabon (Passeriformes: Musccicapidae: Stiphrornis). Zootaxa 1850: 27-42.
• Smithsonian Scientists Discover New Bird Species (Smithsonian Institution)