Species from Old World flycatcher family (IMAGE) Uppsala University Caption The European Robin is more closely related to the Afrotropical White-browed Robin-Chat than to the east Asian Japanese Robin, despite the close similarity in appearance between the European and Japanese Robins and the strongly different plumages of the European Robin and the White-browed Robin-Chat. The similarity between the two robins is an example of convergent evolution, which means that species can independently evolve similar appearances, for example due to similar life styles. The Thrush Nightingale and Bluethroat are close relatives and also more closely related to the Japanese Robin than to the European Robin. However, the nearest relative of the Bluethroat occurs in the Himalayas and Chinese mountains. Credit Tomas Carlberg, Hans Bister and Craig Brelsford/shanghaibirding.com. Usage Restrictions Credit must be given to the creator. Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted. No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted. License CC BY-NC-ND Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.