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.
Wisconsin
Birding Hotspots
1000 Islands Environmental Centre
Crex Meadows
Wildlife Area
Haricon NWR
Kishwauketoe Nature
Conservancy
Mack Wildlife
Area
Necedah NWR
Nicolet National Forest
Oconto Marsh
Refuge
Quincy Bluff and Wetlands
Schmeeckle
Reserve
Thunder Marsh
Wildlife Area
Wisconsin Point.