The familiar "cheerily, cheerup" song of the robin, his vivid breast, his early spring arrival, and his love our proximity makes him a favorite American bird.
Description
The robin is the largest American thrush and ranges in size from 9-11 inches. They are gray on their top half and an orangish red on their breast and belly. The head and tail of the male is black, while the females head and tail is gray consistent with the rest of her top half.
Range
When settlers first came to the United States, robins were actually quite rare. Their relatives, the family of thrushes, all lived in the forests. However, the robin was a specialized bird and stayed near the clearings among the trees. Before settlement, those clearings were rare. It wasn’t until settlers began clearing the land and moving west that robins became the ubiquitous symbol of the suburban backyard wildlife across the entire United States and Canada.
Preferred Habitat
Originally, their preferred habitat was open woods and swamps. Now, most robins prefer the suburban landscape with the evenly manicured yards and openly spaced trees.
Courting Habits, Nesting Habits and Fledglings
The courting habits of robins are low key. The male stakes out his territory. When he is ready for a female, he sings. Soon a female appears on his territory. Now they are mates. Too bad human relations aren’t so straightforward. Calvin Simonds describes one courting and ‘marriage’ of a pair of robins.
The male flew to the short grass of a well-grazed bit of pasture and began to sing. The female joined him there and the two pecked for a few moments gently at each other’s bills The male mounted, they mated, and then the two flew up to the tree where the nest was to be built” (Simonds, 104).
The natural nest habitat for a robin is a tree, preferably the protected branches of a conifer (robins often build their nests before the deciduous trees have leaves). However, like American settlers, the robin has become more civilized and prefers a well-groomed yard where he might choose a part of your house, a decorated pillar, an open porch, the support beams of your deck or gazebo are all prime locations to a robin.
Food
Known for their appetite for worms, robins also eat insects and other fruits. If you have berries or fruit trees in your garden, you will have competition for the ripe fruits and it might be necessary to protect what you wish to harvest for yourself. In fact, robins like overripe fruit and will ingest it until they are staggering drunk.
Calvin Simonds describes robins suggest “a man who wants simultaneously to assert his respectability and his awareness of style. The American robin is much more properly our national bird than is the bald eagle. The bald eagle is representative of America’s predatory and scavenging frontier past. The robin represents our conservative, contemporary present (Simonds, 98).
Sources
Mahnken, Jan. The Backyard Bird-Lover’s Guide. Storey Communications, Inc, 1996
Simonds, Calvin. Private Lives of Garden Birds. Storey Books, 2002.
Bull and Farrand. Jr. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Region. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1997.
The copyright of the article American Robin: Backdoor Neighbor in Wild Birds is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish American Robin: Backdoor Neighbor in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
We have a robin nesting in our backyard on a porch beam. We use the
backyard quite abit due to a pool and i've noticed that she doesn't stay
put but always comes back. I'm a little concerned that she may abandon her
post due to our excessive activity. What will happen to the eggs if she
does this too frequently? Should I move the nest to a more peaceful place?
Please let me know...
May 15, 2008 6:49 PM
Melissa Howard :
We have robins nest on the support beam of our deck nearly every year. They
nest near the top of the stairs so every time we climb on the deck from the
yard, we walk directly over them. In addition, my children like to play
under the deck. I've examined the fledglings on several occasions and the
parents get quite agitated and will dive bomb me but they never abandon
their nest. Robins seem to be excellent parents. I've heard of people
moving a fallen nest onto the porch and the mother just moves right along
with the babies and continues to feed them. So I think your nest will be
fine unless you have an atypical parent.
Jun 6, 2008 5:53 AM
James D. Salter :
Our Robins
We have watched the process of three babies in the
nest and were both delighted and awestruck by what we observed from
hatching to when and how quickly the little ones matured. In less than a
month after the three eggs were layed the brood of three flew from the nest
and are now exploring our front lawn as they forage for food under their
mother's watchful eye. I guess what amazed us were the parenting
skills, dedication of both the male and female pair. Also the fact that
flight skills are instinctive. When ready, over a period of two days, each
of the three birds simply flew from the nest on our front porch. No small
feat as I recalled the fact that it took the US AIr Force over 1 year to
teach me how to "fly". My attempts still remain little short of a
mockery when compared to the skills exhibited by these three little robins.
Nature is truly incredible.
James Salter
Jun 6, 2008 12:53 PM
Melissa Howard :
James,
I agree with you completely. We have robins nest in our
yard nearly every year and I am always fascinated and amazed by how quickly
the young grow and what excellent parents both male and female robins are.
Aug 24, 2008 5:34 PM
Guest :
I have empty nest syndrome. My family of robins, mom, dad, and four babies
have moved on. I discovered the nest in my lilac tree around the third
week of July. I watched daily as the mama robin sat on the eggs, and then
one day I could tell by her behaviour that the eggs has hatched. Daily the
little birds grew. The parent robins became so accustomed to us in the
backyard that they went about their business of gathering worms, bugs and
berries for their babies and mostly ignored us.
Three days
ago, before I went to work, I checked the nest and only one baby was left!!
When I got home, it was gone. I miss their presence and their songs.
They caused alot of busyness in our yard with all the flying back and
forth, hopping around and chirping, but I sure miss them. I hope they come
back next year!!!
Jan 2, 2009 11:27 AM
Guest :
We have just recently moved from sunny California to snowy Idaho, and
imagine my surprise to be awakened by 5 or 6 robins scratching in the mulch
under the window. There is so much snow everywhere,and they found that
little patch. They didnt seem to mind a bit as we opened the curtains and
the children all looked out. We were wondering what we could do to make
their winter more pleasant.
Jan 7, 2009 8:05 AM
Guest :
I live in Mn and during the week of Dec. 15 I had 6 robins show up in my
backyard. The temps at the time were 6 degrees. Since then, the temps
have dipped way below zero and up to 25 degrees. I now count 12 robins as
of yesterday. Am I having an early spring, or are they lost and can they
survive our weather? I worry about them as this has never happened before.
Jan 9, 2009 1:33 PM
Guest :
I live in NE Kansas; today when I went to check on the cattle I spied a
male and a female robin flitting about in a thick stand of
"scrub" trees that grew up in a depression where there was
formerly a country driveway. No songs -- just flying from one branch to
another just a few feet apart about 3 feet off the ground. That has me
worried, too. We don't see robins in winter around here. It's 60 degrees
today, but another very cold front is coming in just a matter of hours from
now.
Mar 20, 2009 10:43 AM
Guest :
i have a robin that won't leave my car alone - if I move my car to the
front of the house - he finds it. if I move in the back to the driveway -
he finds it. I'm not sure what to do or why he's there - it's a black car
and as you can imagine he is making a mess - as well as scratching the car.
He pecks at the windows, the mirrors - brings food on the car. Anyone
know why this is happening or what I can do to get him off my car and into
a tree?
Mar 31, 2009 2:50 PM
Guest :
my car is getting the same treatment....Im getting a powerful pellet gun
Apr 21, 2009 3:28 PM
Guest :
All day, I have been watching this robin building a nest in my daughters
playscape in the rain. I did not have the heart to stop them because I
love birds but the problem is how do I keep my 4 yr old daughter from using
her playscape. How long before the robin lays her eggs? Should I get rid
of the nest before she lays her eggs so they don't dive bomb my daughters
head while trying to go down her slide. I've been trying to brib my
daughter to not use her playscape but I can't promise anything. I know she
would never harm thee birds or future eggs but I can't say the same for her
friends. What do I do??
Apr 21, 2009 4:25 PM
Guest :
All day, I have been watching this robin building a nest in my daughters
playscape in the rain. I did not have the heart to stop them because I
love birds but the problem is how do I keep my 4 yr old daughter from using
her playscape. How long before the robin lays her eggs? Should I get rid
of the nest before she lays her eggs so they don't dive bomb my daughters
head while trying to go down her slide. I've been trying to brib my
daughter to not use her playscape but I can't promise anything. I know she
would never harm thee birds or future eggs but I can't say the same for her
friends. What do I do??
Apr 21, 2009 5:45 PM
Guest :
I need advice. A mother robin has almost completed her nest in our garage!
We thought of moving it before any eggs are laid in it. Is this advisable?
She has worked so hard to build this masterpiece of a home!
Apr 22, 2009 3:40 AM
Guest :
I need advice. A mother robin has almost completed her nest in our garage!
We thought of moving it before any eggs are laid in it. Is this advisable?
She has worked so hard to build this masterpiece of a home!
Apr 22, 2009 11:36 AM
Guest :
All day, I have been watching this robin building a nest in my daughters
playscape in the rain. I did not have the heart to stop them because I
love birds but the problem is how do I keep my 4 yr old daughter from using
her playscape. How long before the robin lays her eggs? Should I get rid
of the nest before she lays her eggs so they don't dive bomb my daughters
head while trying to go down her slide. I've been trying to brib my
daughter to not use her playscape but I can't promise anything. I know she
would never harm thee birds or future eggs but I can't say the same for her
friends. What do I do??
May 18, 2009 7:37 AM
Guest :
We had a robin build a nest in our gazeboand lay two eggs. The nest looked
very secure in it's location. The egss have only been in the nest for a
couple of days. Today when I came home, I found the nest on the ground and
the eggs were smashed. I can't imagine what could have happened to them,
but I am heartbroken. I was very much looking forward to watching them
grow.
May 20, 2009 4:52 PM
Guest :
A robin built a nest over our backyard light several years ago. After the
1st year, we left the nest where it was and didn't take it down. Every
year, a robin returns and adds to the nest (mud, twigs, etc.) and has her
three little baby robins. All have left the next as of 5/10/09. Is
it okay to leave the nest there? I don't want to throw it away because
there is so much mud and twigs, etc. when she builds a nest. Could it be
the same robin every year or does a different robin come and lay her eggs
in this nest? I am very curious about this. Whatever you can do to
help me is appreciated. Thank you. Barb Amodeo
May 23, 2009 5:58 PM
Guest :
I live in Ontario Canada and I have a robins nest that is at the top on my
climbing rose bush.. I was planning on chopping down the rose bush becuase
it needs to be pruned, I need to know when the robins will leave the nest
so as I don't harm it in anyway. I have no idea if the eggs have hatched
yet. I am unable to get up that high without a ladder to see into the nest,
and I don't want mama bird to get upset.
May 23, 2009 8:59 PM
Guest :
My parents and I found a baby robin with an injured wing in our garage. The
mother and the rest of its family are long gone from their nest and we are
trying to care for it but we're not the biggest bird experts. We tried
putting it back in its nest a few times but it kept jumping out and trying
to fly. Baecause its wing is injured it couldn't fly and was just
re-injuring itself because the nest was high up. My dad put some gloves on
and put it in a little crate thing with some towels, a small water dish,
and some bread but i have a feeling that thats not right...i was hoping
somebdoy would have some advice, i really want this birdy to be okay.
May 24, 2009 10:58 AM
Melissa Howard :
The eggs incubate for 12-14 days and the fledglings are in the nest for 2
weeks. Once you know whether there are eggs or fledglings you have an idea
when you can prune the bushes.
For the fledglings with the hurt
wing, try calling your county extension office and see if they can
recommend wildlife specialists in your area to help you.
May 27, 2009 6:19 AM
Guest :
We've been closely watching the growth of 4 baby Robin Birds in a nest
under our deck. We had a heavy rain yesterday and when I checked the nest
last night, all 4 baby birds were gone???? They were only a few days old
and still had their eyes shut, so they definitely were not capable of
flying yet.
Would the mother move the birds if the rain was hard
enough to fill up the nest with water? Is it common for a predator to take
all 4 babies at one time, even during a rain storm?
We are
baffled and concerned about their well-being. We did check the ground
under the nest and did not see any of them. We didn't find any remnants of
a fight.
My wife noticed a Robin going under our neighbors deck
with worms in her mouth, so is it possible she has another nest in another
location?
Thanks for any insight!
May 28, 2009 8:01 PM
brenda raleigh :
I wrote in 2 days ago about a robins who nested on my patio and I am
needing to replace the patio cover.The eggs are now hatching and I am
concerned about moving the nest after they fly. Do they return to the nest
for a period of time? Do they reuse the same nest again as other birds do?
Should I move it to the tree they roost in or just do away with it? I want
them to return to my yard, just not on my patio.
Jun 14, 2009 8:10 PM
Guest :
Guest- We have saved a female robin from our pet cat in the
backyard she is baddly hurt but i think she will make it shes already
improving and its only been 4 hours
Jul 5, 2009 7:30 AM
Guest :
We had a robin nest successfully on a wreath on the front door. I waited
until the family left the nest and didn't return for 2 days. I took down
the nest and wreath because it was a mess - there were thousands of tiny
insects crawling all over the door and coming into the house around the
edges of the door. I figured they were done with it. This morning - two
days later - a fledgling is on the front porch railing and the momma, I
presume, appears to be having a fit on the front sidewalk. Should I have
left it up? I was worried about my family getting fleas or lice.
Jul 6, 2009 7:40 PM
Guest :
A few weeks ago a robin built a nest outside the window of my dining room.
I had an excellent view of the nest when I sat down for any meals. Two
chicks were born about 2 weeks after the eggs were laid. About 10-14 days
after the chicks were born, I observed a very odd behavior. One of the
parents was standing over the nest when I observed what looked like a solid
white soft egg appear from the rear end of one of the chicks. The parent
immediately grabbed the object before it ever left the chick and quickly
ate it. I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me but almost
immediately the other chick laid the same exact type of soft white object
that looked like an egg and was about the size of a Robin's egg and once
again the parent quickly grabbed it and ate it. Has anyone else ever seen
this behavior? Can someone please tell me something about this
behavior?
Jul 8, 2009 12:56 PM
Guest :
Pleae tell me how to keep the robins from flying into my windows,
constantly! The windows are filthy and the bushes, windows, deck, etc. are
all covered with poop!! Help!!
Jul 12, 2009 9:18 AM
Guest :
A robin has made a home under our eave on a 2 inch power pipe. Amazing in
itself. I am not familiar with the robin nesting habits. The first set of 4
babies has gone(approx 2wks ago). Now the nest is in use again. Is this
the same robin or is another robin using the nest. Needless to say this one
is no happier than the first when I go to turn my water on to water my
garden as it just happens to be right under the nest. They may not speak,
but they certainly get their point accross!
Jun 11, 2007
