The American Robin - Turdus migratorius - is widely distributed
throughout North America. This bird is
considered a symbol of spring. These Robins occasionally overwinter in the
northern part of the United States
and southern Canada.
Most however migrate to winter south of Canada
from Florida, the Gulf
Coast to central Mexico and the
West Coast. Most depart south by the end of August and begin to return north in
February and March. The American Robin is active mostly during the day and
assembles in large flocks at night.
Description
Its head is black, with white eye arcs and white supercilia. The throat is
white with black streaks, and the belly and undertail coverts are white. The
Robin has a brown back and a reddish-orange breast, varying from a rich red
maroon to peachy orange. The bill is mainly yellow with a variably dark tip,
the dusky area becoming more extensive in winter, and the legs and feet are
brown. The sexes are similar, but the female tends to be duller than the male,
with a brown tint to the head, brown upperparts and less bright underparts. The
juvenile is paler in color than the adult male and has dark spots on its breast
and whitish wing coverts.
Call
It is among the first birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of
several discrete units that are repeated.
Food
Its diet consists of invertebrates, fruits and berries. This bird is
frequently seen running across lawns, picking up earthworms. It forages
primarily on the ground for soft-bodied invertebrates.
Breeding
This Robin's breeding habitat is woodland and more open farmland and urban
areas. It breeds only rarely in the southern United States and there prefers
large shade trees on lawns It is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs,
beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range. This Robin may
have two to three broods per breeding season. Its nest consists of long coarse
grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned
with grass or other soft materials. The clutch consists of three to five light
blue eggs, incubated by the female. The eggs hatch after 14 days, and the
chicks leave the nest a further two weeks later. The chicks are fed worms,
insects, and berries.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
The adult robin is preyed upon by hawks, cats and snakes.
Bird watching
The American Robin has an extensive range, estimated at
16 million square kilometers and a large population of about
320 million individuals and can be seen in most parts of the United States.
Michigan Hotspots
Kirtland's Warbler NWR,
Whitefish Point
Point Pelee
Point Mouillee
Sault St. Marie
Nayanquing Point Wildlife Area
Bay City
State Recreation
Area
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Fish Point Wildlife Area
Port
Crescent State
Park
Tawas
Point State
Park
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Crane
Creek State
Park
Rouge
River Bird Observatory