The white-starred robin (Pogonocichla stellata) is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher and chat family Muscicapidae.

The generic name Pogoncichla is derived from the Greek pogon for beard, a reference to the white spots on the throat and face, and kikhle for thrush.

The taxonomy within the species is highly complex, as across its range it has some subspecies with intermediate plumages between juveniles and adults, and in some not.

The plumage of the nominate race is slate-grey on the head, with a white spot in front of each eye and another small one on the throat.

The bill is broad and black, and unlike other robin species, is surrounded by well-developed rictal bristles used in flycatching.

The nominate race has a sub-adult plumage, which is dusky olive above, yellow breast and belly, with grey streaks, and the tail is as adult but brownish instead of black.

intensa is quite different, with a bronze-washed back, a yellow rump and slate edges on the flight feathers.

[5] The white-starred robin is a principally found in primary or secondary moist evergreen forest.

This migration is altitudinal, with birds moving to lower altitudes during the winter (April to September), and is much more pronounced in the southern parts of the range.

[5] In Malawi studies established that the males remained in their breeding territories, while the females moved away during the winter.

The first type, used by intensa, ruwenzori, guttifer, orientalis and the nominate race, is a disyllabic "too-twii", the second type, used by macarthuri, helleri and transvaalensis is a more complex multisyllabic "ter-whe dada wiiyoo" or "wheh chiiyoo wher-ter-weh techiiyoo".

Other remains found included those of spiders, flies, caterpillars, amphipods, true bugs, wasps, grasshoppers and centipedes.

The nest is unusual for the family in that it is a domed construction, built out of dead leaves, rootlets, moss and tendrils, and lined with leaf skeletons and fine plant material.