Field Guide to Birds of North America
American Robin
American Robin Variations
Related Birds
General
American Robin: Large, familiar North American thrush with gray-brown upperparts, rich red-brown breast, and white lower belly and undertail coverts. Head appears black with white splotches surrounding the eyes, and throat is white with black streaks. Female is slightly paler and duller than male. Juvenile has brown-speckled, pale rufous-brown underparts.
Range and Habitat
American Robin: Breeds from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Texas, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Usually spends winters north to British Columbia and Newfoundland. Preferred habitats include towns, gardens, open woodlands, and agricultural lands.
Listen to Call
Voice Text
"cheerily cheer-up cheerio"
Interesting Facts
- During breeding season, male American Robins grow black feathers on their heads to attract females. Once the mating season is over, these feathers are lost.
- These birds have been observed wading belly deep in water to catch small fish.
- There is a Crayola crayon named Robin’s Egg Blue.
- A group of robins are collectively known as a "worm" of robins.
Author
|
Family
|
Species
Turdus migratorius
|
Length10
Inches
|
Wingspan15
Inches
|
American Robin
American Robin: Large, familiar North American thrush, gray-brown upperparts, rich red-brown breast, and white lower belly and undertail coverts. Head appears black with white splotches surrounding the eyes, and throat is white with black streaks. Swift, direct flight on rapidly beating wings.
● Song: "cheerily cheer-up cheerio"
● Foraging & Feeding: American Robin: Feeds on wild and cultivated fruits, berries, earthworms, and insects such as beetle grubs, caterpillars, and grasshoppers; appears to "listen” to the ground by cocking its head when stalking earthworms.
● Breeding & nesting: American Robin: Three to seven pale blue eggs, sometimes flecked with brown, are laid in a well-made cup of mud reinforced with grass and twigs, lined with softer grass, and built in a tree or on a ledge. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female. Robins usually have two broods per season.
● Similar species: American Robin: Rufous-backed Robin has rufous back and black-tipped yellow bill. Varied Thrush has dark band across breast and orange wing bars.
Flight Pattern
Swift strong direct flight.
|
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
|
PopulationWidespread, Abundant
|
MigrationMigratory
|
Weight2.7
Ounces
|