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) [XC348777]
by David Welch from Chaslands, Clutha District, Otago, New Zealand (song)
Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) [XC473396]
by Guy Kirwan from Fiordland National Park, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand (song)
Subspecies
Forms a species group with Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang) and Norfolk Robin (Petroica multicolor). Relationship of nominate subspecies of Norfolk 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).