Banded Yellow Robin Eopsaltria placens Scientific name definitions

14–15 cm; 24–28 g. Has dark gray head, olive-green upperparts; upperwing dusky brown, remiges narrowly edged olive-green, tail dusky brown; chin and upper throat dark gray, throat side and underparts bright yellow, dark olive-green breast­band; iris dark brown; bill black; legs pale yellow to orange. Sexes alike. Juvenile is apparently entirely or largely rufous (based on color of residual nestling feathers on some specimens); immature as adult, but retaining juvenile upperwing-coverts.

Scattered localities in New Guinea, including Batanta Island, Wandammen Mountains, Bomberai Peninsula, Weyland Mountains, Astrolabe Bay, Lake Kutubu, Mount Bosavi, Karimui, and several localities in the southeast (e.g., Angabunga River–Goldie River area).

Primary foothill forest and hill forest, at 100–1450 m, altitudinal range at any single locality usually not more than 700 m, sometimes much less; from west to east, 850–880 m on Batanta Island, 710–1,450 m at Wandammen Mountains, 300–1,000 m at Weyland Mountains (where much more common at lower altitudes), and 100–350 m in region between the Angabunga River and Goldie River. Frequents most shaded parts of forest with relatively open understory.

Presumably sedentary.

Insects. Usually found 0.6–1.5 m from ground, occasionally lower, rarely higher. Captures prey by pouncing from perch on to ground or fallen debris; also by making sally-strikes, but only occasionally by aerial flycatching. Food taken to a horizontal perch, where it is beaten before being consumed.

Song of five bell-like notes  , first two slightly shorter than next three  , which run together, “tu-tu-tootootoo”. Possible agonistic call seven fairly loud, cicada-like vibrating and whining notes; also rapid “pop-tidipop-tidipop-tidipop” whistle, apparently during territorial disputes; also two-note whistle, “wouw-wouw”.

Few data; only two completed nests and a one incomplete one described. Adults with enlarged gonads in July and immatures seen in June–July at one site; elsewhere, fully feathered nestling on 22 August and small nestling at end September. Possible territorial dispute between two pairs involves short chases and calling. Nest a shallow bowl finely woven from epiphyte roots and similar plant material, with moss on outside, one with external diameter 9 cm, internal diameter 5 cm, another with internal depth c. 1 cm, placed 0.75–2.1 m up on side branch of low understory tree or sapling. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near-threatened. Restricted-range species: present in West Papuan Lowlands EBA, North Papuan Lowlands EBA, South Papuan Lowlands EBA and Southeast Papuan Lowlands Secondary Area. Very patchy in occurrence, but locally fairly common to common. Sometimes the most widespread petroicid at its altitudinal range; at Vaimuri and Kuriva (southeastern New Guinea), possibly the commonest passerine in lower-forest interior.