Other Names (World)
New Zealand Tomtit, Tomtit, New Zealand Tit, Pied Tit, Yellow-breasted Tit, South Island Tit (macrocephala), White-breasted Tit (toitoi), Chatham Island Tit (chathamensis), Auckland Island Tit (marrineri), Black Tit (dannefaerdi), Snares Tit (dannefaerdi)
Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) [XC378231]
by Guy Kirwan from Dillmanstown, Westland District, West Coast, New Zealand (call)
Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) [XC360588]
by Matthias Feuersenger from Mount Cargill, Dunedin City, Otago, New Zealand (song)
Subspecies
Forms a species group with Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang) and Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor). Relationship of nominate subspecies of Pacific Robin (Petroica multicolor) with present species requires investigation. Has been proposed that subspecis should each be elevated to rank of species, for purpose of consistency with treatment accorded to mainland South Island Robin (Petroica australis) and its insular derivative Black Robin (Petroica traversi).
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
toitoi (Lesson, R & Garnot, 1828) - North I and adjacent islands (Hen and Chickens, Little Barrier, Great Barrier, Kapiti), in northern New Zealand.
macrocephala (Gmelin, 1789) - South I, Stewart I and outlying islands (including D'Urville, Pickersgill, Resolution, Codfish and South Cape).
dannefaerdi (Rothschild, 1894) - Snares Is (Snares I, Broughton I). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Snares Tomtit (Petroica dannefaerdi).