The American Robin

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Ranked #2,954 in Animals, #63,549 overall

A Symbol of Spring

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.

Description 

The American Robin is a migratory songbird that is usually identified by its distinctive red breast, which can vary from pale rust to a dark red brick in color. The upper part of the body and wings are gray. The males and females are similar in appearance, with the female being a bit duller. They are approximately 8 to 11 inches in length with a wing span of 12 to 16 inches and weigh less than 3 ounces. It is one of the larger thrushes.

As most people know and recognize the robin, it is often used as the standard to which other bird sizes are compared.

Nice Neighborhood

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 

Backyard Birds (Peterson Field GuidesĀ® for Young Naturalists)

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Stokes Hummingbird Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Hummingbirds

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Backyard Bird Identification Guide (T.F.H. Wild Birds Series)

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National Wildlife Federation Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Backyard Wildlife

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Nesting Habits 

The American Robin begins to breed shortly after returning to its summer range. The male stakes out its territory and then uses song to attract a mate.

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.

Lunch is Served! 

Diet 

American 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.

Voice 

Robins have a clear, cheerful song with a number of different songs and calls. Once you have identified their cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, cheer up, you will recognize it when you hear it again. They are one of the first birds to start singing in the morning and one of the last to be heard at night. The male is extremely vocal during courtship, whistling softy to attract a mate. Both the male and the female will whistle loudly when threatened or annoyed.

Listen to the song of the Northern Cardinal: Sound Byte: American Robin, National Park Service

Common Birds and Their Songs 



Common Birds and Their Songs (Book and Audio CD)

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 will be valuable to anyone interested in birds, from beginner to expert. It's the perfect gift for any birder - or anyone with a bird feeder.

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard 

Peterson's Field Guide to Birds 

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)

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An absolute must have for anyone with an interest in watching the birds.

America's 100 Most Wanted Birds 



America's 100 Most Wanted Birds

If you want to see a gyrfalcon or a fork-tailed flycatcher, this resource might be your best help in spotting them. Mostly for serious birders intent on adding species to their life lists, America's 100 Most Wanted Birds provides detailed strategies for locating 100 of the most uncommon-to-rare bird species in the United States.

Have you seen any interesting birds lately? 

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  • Reply
    Snozzle Snozzle Jun 3, 2009 @ 10:08 am
    I'm in England and we have a couple of robins in our garden for most of the year. Slightly different from the American robin but still with that bright red breast. I swear that sometimes they follow me round the garden especialy if I'm digging. One of my favourite birds.
    Mike.
  • Reply
    alteredkat alteredkat Apr 8, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
    5* I love robins! They always look so cheerful with their big red breast...a sure sign of spring! and I do love spring! :o) (mainly cause it means winter is over!) ha ha

    ......I also wanted to thank you for popping into my "better sleeping tips" lens...I always appreciate your comments! :o)
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 11, 2008 @ 10:16 am
    We don't get to see a lot of the robin here in Florida -- just once in a while. Usually see bluejays and cardinals.
  • Reply
    OhMe OhMe Aug 8, 2008 @ 4:17 am
    Enjoyed this lens and Poddy's observance with Mary Poppins. Welcome to the SC Group. 5*
  • Reply
    eccles1 eccles1 Jul 1, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
    pesticides are hurting so many of our beautiful birds the Robins come every morning they love apples and cherries too
    thank You
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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,949 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 197 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses

Why Birds Do That  

Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/25/2009)Buy Now

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 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

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

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