The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is one of the most iconic and widespread birds in North America, often associated with the arrival of spring due to its cheerful song and familiar presence in backyards.
Family
The American Robin belongs to the family Turdidae, commonly known as the thrush family, which includes other songbirds like bluebirds, wood thrushes, and Old World blackbirds. Turdidae species are characterized by their melodious songs and often spotted or colorful plumage. The American Robin is part of the genus Turdus, which includes many true thrushes known for their ground-foraging habits and insectivorous diets. This family is diverse, with members found worldwide, though the American Robin is a quintessential North American representative.
Distribution
The American Robin is widely distributed across North America, from Alaska and Canada to southern Mexico. It breeds throughout the United States and Canada, particularly in forests, woodlands, suburban areas, and urban parks.
During winter, northern populations migrate south to the southern U.S., Central America, and occasionally as far as Guatemala, while some robins in milder climates, like the Pacific Northwest or southern states, remain year-round. Their adaptability to varied environments, from rural fields to city lawns, makes them a common sight across diverse landscapes.
Appearance
The American Robin is a medium-sized songbird, measuring about 9–11 inches in length with a wingspan of 12–16 inches. Males and females are similar, though males are slightly more vibrant. They have a distinctive reddish-orange breast and belly, a dark grayish-brown back, and a blackish head with a white eye ring that gives them an expressive look.
Their bill is yellow with a dark tip, and their legs are yellowish. Juveniles are paler, with speckled breasts that gradually develop the solid orange hue of adults. This striking coloration makes them easily recognizable.
Diet
American Robins are omnivorous, with a diet that shifts seasonally. In spring and summer, they primarily feed on invertebrates such as earthworms, beetles, caterpillars, and other insects, which they forage for on the ground, often seen hopping across lawns.
They also consume berries and fruits, including those from dogwood, sumac, and juniper, especially in fall and winter when insects are scarce. Their ability to switch between protein-rich insects and energy-rich fruits contributes to their widespread success across habitats.
Behavior
American Robins are active, social birds known for their distinctive behaviors. They are often seen running and pausing on grassy areas to hunt for worms, tilting their heads to listen for prey. Their song is a rich, melodious series of whistles, often described as “cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio,” sung from treetops or perches, especially at dawn and dusk.
Robins are territorial during the breeding season, with males defending their nesting areas through song and displays. They are also highly adaptable, thriving in human-altered environments like suburban yards and parks, where they readily visit birdbaths and feeders with fruit or mealworms.
Nesting
American Robins typically breed from April to July, producing 1–3 broods per season. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest made of grass, twigs, and mud, often reinforced with fine plant fibers, and places it in trees, shrubs, or even on man-made structures like ledges or gutters, usually 5–15 feet above ground.
The female lays 3–5 bright blue eggs (often called “robin’s egg blue”), which she incubates for about 12–14 days. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about two weeks. Robins are known for their attentive parenting, and fledglings often remain nearby, learning to forage before becoming independent.
Population
The American Robin is one of the most abundant birds in North America, with a population estimated at 310 million individuals, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Their numbers are stable or increasing in many areas, thanks to their adaptability to human-modified landscapes and diverse food sources.
However, they face threats from habitat loss, pesticide exposure (which reduces insect prey), and predation by cats or collisions with windows. Conservation efforts are minimal due to their robust population, but protecting green spaces and reducing pesticide use supports their continued success.
Species in the Genus Turdus
- Turdus migratorius – American Robin (North America)
- Turdus rufopalliatus – Rufous-backed Robin (Mexico)
- Turdus grayi – Clay-colored Thrush (Central America, northern South America)
- Turdus assimilis – White-throated Thrush (Mexico to Panama)
- Turdus philomelos – Song Thrush (Europe, introduced in some areas)
- Turdus merula – Eurasian Blackbird (Europe, introduced in Australia)
- Turdus iliacus – Redwing (Europe, Asia)
- Turdus obscurus – Eyebrowed Thrush (Asia, occasional vagrant in North America)
- Turdus naumanni – Dusky Thrush (Asia, rare vagrant in North America)
- Turdus swalesi – La Selle Thrush (Hispaniola, Caribbean)