Aug
15

Today in Smithsonian History: August 15, 2008

Brian Schmidt, research ornithologist at the National Museum of Natural History, holding an olive-backed forest robin. (Photo by Carlton Ward)

Brian Schmidt, research ornithologist at the National Museum of Natural History, holding an olive-backed forest robin. (Photo by Carlton Ward)

August 15, 2008 Scientists from the National Museum of Natural History publish their findings on a new species of bird in the journal Zootaxa. The olive-backed forest robin, or Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus, was found by Smithsonian researchers in the forests of Gabon, Africa. The bird measures 4.5 inches in length and averages 18 grams in weight when it reaches adulthood. Males have black feathers on their heads, a fiery orange  breast, yellow belly, white dot on their face in front of each eye and an olive back for which it is named. Females of the species look similar, but have a less vibrant color.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 15 August 2019
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