American Robin
As a child, I was told that spotting a robin in the yard heralded the arrival of spring. Living in northern Minnesota, that was usually the case, but while most robins migrate southward in the winter, not all of them do. Their breeding range is extensive and in some of the warmer climates, they congregate in large flocks and winter-over close to home.
Although the robin's original breeding ground was predominantly forest land, it has adapted and is now one of the most widespread thrushes in America today. They can be seen in search of worms on suburban lawns, meadows, golf courses, and city parks. Due to their prevalence and distinctive appearance, it's usually one of the first birds a child learns to identify.

Nice Neighborhood
Description
As most people know and recognize the robin, it is often used as the standard to which other bird sizes are compared.
American Robins
Habitat
Depending on the time of year, robins can be spotted from Alaska and Canada to northern Florida and Mexico. They usually settle along the edge of forests and clusters of trees. They prefer the trees for nesting, but want the open ground for foraging.Some will winter-over in milder climates, but the majority head south for the winter. They head south by the end of August and return north in February and March. The exact dates vary depending on the climate. They will be spotted in North Carolina long before they are spotted in Minnesota.
Recognizing Backyard Birds
Nesting Habits
The robin prefers to build her nest in a dense bush or in a fork between two tree branches. It is usually located 5 to 15 feet above the ground and built exclusively by the female. The foundation of the nest consists of grass, twigs, feathers, and any other sturdy material available. The inside is then lined with a smooth layer of mud and cushioned with grass and any other soft material available.
Robins usually produce three broods each season and build a new nest for each one. In northern climates, the first nest is usually built in an evergreen tree with the later ones in deciduous trees. Robins are not shy birds and will build a nest in trees close to houses and other structures.
There are usually 3 to 5 light-blue eggs in a clutch and they are incubated for 12 to 14 days. Once they have hatched the female will only brood at night and in inclement weather. The mated pair usually work together to feed and guard the hatchlings. The adult robin will go to great lengths in protecting their young, including dive-bombing a marauding cat. The hatchlings are usually ready to leave the nest within 16 days. Although they can forge for themselves by this time, they tend to follow their parents around begging for food.
Although Robins brood three times a year, they only succeed in producing young 40 percent of the time. Of these, only 25 percent survive until November. About half of these will be around the following year. Robins can live to be 14 years old, but the entire population turns over on the average of every six years.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm. Robins seem to take that edict seriously. They are one of the first birds we will hear in the morning.
Diet
Robins eat different types of food depending on the time of day. In the morning they forage on lawns and other grassy open areas for worms, caterpillars, slugs and insects. Later in the day offerings of fruit will catch their attention. Visits to seed filled birdfeeder are rare, but not unknown.Because they pick their food from the grass covered earth, Robins are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Before using a pesticide, read the label and make sure it will not harm your backyard guest.
The Avant Garden Cottage Lantern Feeder
Avant Garden 8501-3 Cottage Lantern Bird Feeder
Amazon Price: $19.54 (as of 12/02/2008)![]()
I love watching the birds in my backyard, and nothing attracts the birds better than a birdfeeder. The Avant Garden Cottage Lantern Feeder is an excellent choice.
Voice
Listen to the song of the Northern Cardinal: Sound Byte: Northern Cardinal, National Park Service
Common birds and Their Songs
Lang Elliott
Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/02/2008)![]()
This book-audio package provides a unique introduction to fifty of the most familiar birds of North America and the songs they sing. Common Birds and Their Songs is a great book for anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.
South Carolina Birder
South Carolina Birder offers information on wild birds as well as an insight into birding in South Carolina.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAudubon's Masterpieces
Audubon's masterpieces: 150 prints from the Birds of America
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)![]()
John James Audubon spent a lifetime documenting the behavior of, and drawing the birds of North America. Audubon's Masterpieces is a collection of 150 of his best works.
Lizzy's Backyard Birds
-
Eastern Bluebird
-
There are three species of bluebirds with the Eastern Bluebird being the most common. This beautiful bird is making a comeback as more and more backyard birder are erecting bluebird boxes and evicting the squatters.
-
Mourning Doves
-
The Mourning Dove is considered a game bird in many states, but due to flight speeds of up to 55 mph, it rarely ends up on the dinner table.
-
Purple Finch
-
Distinguishing the Purple Finch from its cousins, the House Finch and the Cassin's Finch, can be tricky. All three are about the same size and shape, and all three are frequent visitors to the birdfeeder. To make matters worse, their territories over...
101 Ways to Help Birds
101 Ways to Help Birds
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 12/02/2008)![]()
101 Ways to Help Birds offers 101 ways for individuals to help birds and bird populations as a whole, and it explains how these actions make a difference. Any bird lover knows that birds and animals alike need our help. Without it, we will lose more and we've lost enough as it is.
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
JaguarJulie wrote...
We don't get to see a lot of the robin here in Florida -- just once in a while. Usually see bluejays and cardinals.
OhMe wrote...
Enjoyed this lens and Poddy's observance with Mary Poppins. Welcome to the SC Group. 5*
eccles1 wrote...
pesticides are hurting so many of our beautiful birds the Robins come every morning they love apples and cherries too
thank You
mulberry wrote...
As you indicated above, I've noticed that the Robins seem to stick around for much of the winter around my part of the world although I've always thought of them returning in the spring. Very nice lens!
_HD_brittani_ wrote...
I agree with poddys on the mary poppins thing. This is a great lense! Keep it up!
Why Birds Do That
Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/02/2008)![]()
Birds are fascinating. Their behavior is complex, often comical. Some sing while others do not. Why Birds Do That explains forty distinctive bird behaviors and is enhanced with numerous photographs. It is a must have book for both the backyard bird watcher as well as the avid birder.
Resources used to construct this page
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Seattle Audubon Society
The American Robin, Chipper Woods Bird Observatory


















