European Robin vs Small Niltava

Erithacus rubecula compared with Niltava macgrigoriae

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Robin Small Niltava
Scientific Name Erithacus rubecula Niltava macgrigoriae
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Muscicapidae Muscicapidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 14.0 cm (5.5 in)
Wingspan 21.0 cm (8.3 in) 12.6 cm (5.0 in)
Weight 18.0 g (0.63 oz) 11.25 g (0.40 oz)
Diet Insects, worms, and berries. Often follows gardeners and large animals to catch invertebrates disturbed from … --
Clutch Size 4-7 3-5
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
European Robin 14.0 cm
Small Niltava
Wingspan
European Robin 21.0 cm
Small Niltava 12.6 cm
Weight
European Robin 18.0 g
Small Niltava 11.25 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Robin only

None

Small Niltava only

None

European Robin

Woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens across Europe. Remarkably tame around humans, especially in Britain.

Song & Call Comparison

European Robin

Song

Exquisite, melancholic melody of thin whistled phrases, rising and falling softly. Rich, warbling song year-round; both sexes sing. Alarm call is a sharp 'tic-tic-tic'.

Small Niltava

Geographic Range & Migration

European Robin

Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter; western European populations are largely resident.

Small Niltava

Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Robin

Least Concern

Small Niltava

How to Tell Them Apart

European Robin

Plumage

Olive-brown upperparts with a warm orange-red breast and face bordered by grey. White belly and undertail coverts.

Bill

Thin, pointed dark brown bill

Small Niltava

About These Birds

European Robin

The European robin is one of the most beloved birds in Britain, where it is the unofficial national bird. Despite its friendly demeanor toward humans, robins are fiercely territorial against their own kind, singing year-round to defend territory. Their distinctive song is one of the first to be heard at dawn.

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