If ever you’re in the South Island bush and you feel like you’re being watched, it’s likely one of these quiet but friendly little guys. South Island robins (Petroica australis) feed on invertebrates and like to have a dig around disturbed earth. So when you’re walking in the bush, they like to follow along and see what your footsteps have turned up. This photo is of a male who came to see what we were turning up along the track to Fenella Hut in the Cobb Valley. Females have a smaller, less distinct chest patch than males. South Island robins stay in their territories year-round and can live as long as 14 years. They often cache their food, so may return quickly to a track to see if your boots continue to turn up interesting things.
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