Predators to adult robins include hawks, snakes, and cats. A distinctive, potbellied bird. Flight: quick, flicking wingbeats followed by short, closed-wing glides. the tiny movements that would indicate a worm is traveling close to the Squirrels, snakes, and other birds have been known to eat robin eggs and chicks. Common and widespread. Migration:  The American robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. Robins also sing at dusk or when it's about to rain. of these enemies feed on the young or eggs, not the adult birds. It takes about 2 weeks to incubate the coloring is quite similar to the male, but everything is a slightly paler bill and feet to mould the nest into a cup shape and then adds a American robins live in woodlands, suburban backyards, parks, and grasslands with shrubs. the American Robin. Robins can be found year-round in the continental United States, and some migrate north to spend summers in Alaska. meals each day! construction. and in the more northern areas in mid-May. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. Enemies: The © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- worms. This species’ often confiding nature, distinctive plumage, pleasing song, and acceptance of human-dominated habitats make it one of the most beloved of North American birds. The American robin goes by many names, including robin red-breast, just plain robin, and its scientific name, Turdus migratorius. At this point in a wild robin's life, it has jumped from the nest several days ago, and hops around exploring the big world. Departs northerly winter-only areas by ±10 April; arrival northern Great Lakes ±20 March; central Alaska ±1 May. Males are also easier to identify because only male robins sing their "cheerily, cheer up" song. their breeding grounds first with the females following about a week They have brown legs and a thin yellow bill Strong facultative aspect (particularly in East) in fall, so variable timing; departs southern Canada ±20 October. From the photo, this baby is a fledgling. is that worms and cutworms are the main diet of the chicks in the nest feathers with a slightly darker head. robin-sized Measurements. They have flexible diets and will eat whatever is most readily accessible, which can be dependent on the season. She uses her Forages on lawns and other areas of short vegetation for earthworms and other invertebrates in a run-and-stop pattern typical of terrestrial thrushes. Copyright © 1998-2020 DLTK's Inc. - All Rights Reserved, "What I've learned about the American Robin", How many words can you make from American Robin. color. clutch. We associate robins with spring for good reason: In many places, they arrive with the warm weather. Legs dark. I've even seen one nest laid right in the middle of someone's Search, discover, and learn about wildlife. During the spring and summer, it eats invertebrates such as earthworms, caterpillars and beetles, and in the fall and winter switches to fruits … Underparts vary, often in tandem with head color, from deep, rich reddish maroon to gray-scalloped, peachy orange. they're waiting for breakfast). The National Wildlife Federation is providing resources to help families and caregivers across the country provide meaningful educational opportunities and safe outdoor experiences for children during these incredibly difficult times. area each year and will reuse nests from previous years. of eggs each year. The American robin is one of the most familiar and welcome visitors to our backyards and is often a sure sign of spring! The American robin's population is large and appears to be increasing. it is often seen on lawns in the morning looking for earthworms. Each year, we've had a pair of robins build their nest they're one of the prettiest bird eggs around. Predators to adult robins include hawks, snakes, and cats. It's called the 'American' robin because it was Nests are usually built in trees or shrubs, or on man-made structures such as the ledges of houses, barns, or bridges. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark, An American robin photographed at The New Mexico Wildlife Center in Española, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/a/american-robin.html. Feeding: The main diet of the American Robin is berries. days. The males arrive at One clutch may have three to five eggs, which incubate for roughly two weeks before hatching. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Vagrant: widely in Europe; casual to Jamaica and Hispaniola. and happily hop along on front lawns searching for a meal of Other enemies include bobcats, owls, Range and Habitat. The young robins stay on the ground for another two weeks, until they're able to fly well enough to venture off on their own. American robins begin breeding earlier than many other birds and can have two or three sets of young in the course of one breeding season. the male guards the area. Juveniles possibly confused with spotted thrushes. on the nest to give the female a break. Used with permission.© Leanne Guenther. Thrush family. They have gray-brown back and tail must admit that the peeping of the chicks gets to be a bit much when watching them out the window. Throat streaked black and white; belly and undertail coverts white. The young robins also look similar, but have a heavily spotted breast. Seven subspecies, 5 in North America. surface. Description - young:  American robins are year-round visitors to suburban and rural backyards. attest to this. Females feed and brood the chicks, and the young birds leave the nest about two weeks after hatching. Song: clear, whistled phrases of 2 or 3 syllables cheerily cheery cheerily cheery, with pauses; lacks the burry quality of many tanagers; pheucticus grosbeaks typically have different tempo. American robins have light blue eggs that inspired the "robin's egg blue" crayon and paint colors. They also have gray wings and backs. Anywhere, any time. Widespread taiga and northeastern migratorius described; north Pacific coastal caurinus and widespread western propinquus (larger, paler) with white tail corners small or lacking; Canadian maritime nigrideus dark brownish to blackish above, underparts deep rufous, medium-size tail corners; southeast United States achrusterus smaller, upperparts browner, smaller tail corners. It looks a bit like he's listening for the During this time, the female sits on the nest while This is … Most Robins begin breeding when they're about one year old and usually live for two years, though one wild robin was recorded to be 14 years old. Once in awhile the male will sit The American Robin is a member of the Bluebird and Habitat:  Robins live in urban areas, forests, ranchlands and Diet: The American robin’s diet is made up of approximately 40 per cent invertebrates and 60 per cent fruit. Juvenile: spotted dark on underparts; whitish on upperparts and wing coverts. More than one-third of U.S. fish and wildlife species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. Robins prefer to nest in spruce or maple trees, but are very They are native to the Nearctic region.. American robin are found year-round in southern Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia, throughout most of the United States and along the Sierra Madre into southern Mexico.. Adult: depending on sex and subspecies, head, with white eye arcs, varies from jet black to gray, with white supercilia and throat, blackish lores and lateral throat stripe. named after a similar (though smaller) bird found in Great Britain. However young birds remain close to their parents after leaving the nest, following them and begging for food. A male robin is often easier to identify than a female. It has an unstreaked, rusty-orange breast and a dark gray-brown back. The largest North American thrush, almost half again as big as a bluebird. is streaked with black and their undertail American robins live in woodlands, suburban backyards, parks, and grasslands with shrubs. Robins can be found year-round in the continental United States, and some migrate north to spend summers in Alaska. Polytypic. Description - female:  The female robin's Bill color yellow with variable, season-dependent, black tip. In winter, its diet is made up largely of berries. The answer is yes and no. Its diet consists of invertebrates (such as beetle grubs and caterpillars), fruits and berries. In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. behind. The American Robin may be one of North America's most familiar songbirds, yet its wintering patterns raise a common question: Do robins migrate?. These birds are easily spotted hopping around city parks and lawns, searching for food in flocks. adaptable, nesting in all sorts of trees and  buildings -- President and CEO Collin O’Mara reveals in a TEDx Talk why it is essential to connect our children and future generations with wildlife and the outdoors—and how doing so is good for our health, economy, and environment. Robins often depend more on insects and earthworms in the spring, and consume more fruits and berries during the colder winter months. of us don't have to wander far to bird watch if you're happy to watch It is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. This song is usually heard in the early morning, before and after sunrise. roadsides. (though they can have anywhere from 2 to 6). Upperparts medium gray; tail blackish, with white corners. Flight note: very high, trilled, descending sreeel. You can take a 2-3 hour break maybe once a day. clutches Description - young: The young robins also look similar, but have a heavily spotted breast. They usually return to the same nesting Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Length 10". Strong adaptability and widespread distribution suggest little concern. She's never caught one, but she spends hours Both Sexes; Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm) Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g) Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm) They migrate south for the winter, going as far as southern … Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Description - male:  A baby robin should be fed as much as it can eat at least every half hour from sunrise to sunset. Duller females possibly mistaken for the eyebrowed thrush. hawks, crows, jays, snakes, squirrels, chipmunks and raccoon. Older immatures not distinguishable from adults; small percentage retain a few juvenal wing coverts or other feathers. Ditch the disposables and make the switch to sustainable products. that they use for pecking worms and insects out of the ground. The reason we see so many robins searching out worms The breeding season lasts from April through July, during which time males and females form pair bonds that continue while they raise their young. General:  Wing linings color of underparts; remiges blackish.