BetterBirds.com
                                                                                     The place to find products and information for
                                                                                                                  North American birds

American Robin

Description

The American Robin is a familiar bird, often seen walking with an erect stance on lawns, recognized by it’s brick-red breast and dark grey back. The head and tail of the male bird are blackish, and the female bird has a head and tail that are grayer. The young robin has a speckled breast, but the rusty wash identifies it as an American Robin.

The State Bird Of:  Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin

Size:  9 - 11” (23 - 28 cm)

Voice:  The American Robin has a clean carolling song; short phrases, that are rising and falling, often prolonged. The notes sound like tyeep and tut-tut-tut.

Distribution & Habitat
American Robins are found in Alaska, Canada to Southern Mexico. They spend winters mainly south of Canada. Robins are found in cities, towns, farmland, lawns, shade treese, and forests.

Feeding Habits
Robins eat different types of food, depending on the time of the day. Early in the day, they eat earthworms and eat fruit later in the day. In the winter, Robins tend to feed on apple and berry trees.

Due to the fact that robins forage largely on lawns, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisioning.

Breeding & Nesting Habits
The song of the male robin is to advertise his territory or to attract a new mate. You will hear the song most just before the young match.

The nest is made of grasses, a middle layer of mud and then it is lined with fine grasses. Robins will use nesting platform, and they prefer an open box with a roof for shelter from rain and snow.  American Robins can produce three successful broods in one year.

On average, though, only 40 percent of nests successfully produce young. Only 25 percent of those fledged young survive to November. From that point on, about half of the birds alive in any year will make it to the next. Despite the fact that they can live to be 14 years old, the entire population turns over on average every six years.

The female lays 3-7 light blue eggs that are incubated for 12-14 days and the young leave the nest in about 14-16 days. There can be 2 - 3 broods raised each season.

Back to Top