facts about a frequently seen bird about town all about those rockin robins
TRANSCRIPT
Facts About A Frequently Seen Bird About Town
All About Those Rockin’ Robins
• Members of the thrush family, which also includes bluebirds, solitaires and Wood Thrushes
• Named by early colonists for the European Robin they had left behind; the two are distantly related; both have red breasts
Basic Robin Facts
• Male robins have a dark gray’ almost black, back and tail with a rust/brick colored breast
• Female is paler all over
• Juveniles have a spotted breast
Basic Robin Facts
• American Robins can be found throughout North America at some time during the year
• Those living in the West tend to be paler in color and often lack the white markings on the outer corners of their tail
Basic Robin Facts
• Most American Robins migrate in flocks primarily during the daylight hours
• Females migrate to areas where food is more abundant to help insure they are in top condition for the rigors of raising young in the spring
Migration Habits
• While the majority of American Robins migrate south each fall, a small number of stragglers usually remain behind and endure the winter
• The majority of over-wintering robins are males trying to insure they have first choice of nesting territories in the spring
Migration Habits
• Male robins that migrate usually arrive on the breeding grounds up to two weeks before the females return
• Robins usually return to the same area to nest each year and may occasionally use last year’s nest again after some renovation
Migration Habits
• Only the male sings, but both sexes have calls and alarm notes
• You typically hear robins first thing on a spring morning and the last thing before dark
Courting Habits
• Typically nest from April through July and can have 2-3 broods in a season
• Females build the nest and incubate the eggs alone
Nesting Habits
• Unlike most birds, robins do not lay their eggs at sunrise
• They lay their eggs several hours later during the mid-morning
• Since earthworms are easier to find in the early morning, they feed first and then return to their nest to lay their egg
Nesting Habits
Nesting Habits
• Over 50% of all nesting attempts by robins fail to produce young
• Out of the successful nesting attempts, only ¼ of the fledglings will survive until November
• Robins eat a variety of insects and berries and change their feeding habits depending on the time of day
• It’s been noted that robins eat 14 FEET of earthworms in a day
• Worms only make up about 15% - 20% of a robin’s summer diet
Fun Feeding Facts
• Locate earthworms by cocking their head to one side, using each eye to look for visible signs of worms
• You will likely find robins in your yard after a rain or after the sprinkler has been on or even after the lawn has been mowed, as this brings worms and insects to the surface
Fun Feeding Facts
• Robins also feed on wild and cultivated fruits and berries and insects such as beetle grubs, caterpillars, and grasshoppers
Fun Feeding Facts
• The average lifespan of a robin is 1 ½ years
• The oldest known robin lived to be 14 years old
• The American Robin population seems to be stable, even increasing - apparently benefiting from the urbanization and agricultural uses of the land
Life Expectancy
• Robins can be attracted to a feeding station by offering mealworms, fruit and a birdbath
• Robins are particularly vulnerable to pesticide poisoning due to their preference for foraging on lawns
Backyard Behavior
For more information about the American Robin, visit our online field guide:
www.rightbird.com
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