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BREEDING
A robin makes its territory known by perching in a visible place
and singing loudly. This happens in spring, when it is establishing its home territory and
trying to attract a mate.
When a partner has been chosen, the male robin strengthens the
bond by bringing the female food. She builds the nest, concealing it in a low bank among
thick vegetation. The domed structure is built with leaves and lined with plant roots and
hair. In backyards and near houses, robins will often build their nests on ledges inside
porches and sheds. They are also attracted to nest boxes put in a protected place. Mating
occurs primarily
from April to June, although some robins nest as early as January.
Once the female has laid her eggs, she stays in the nest for II -1 4 days, incubating
them. During this time, the male brings her food, sometimes as often as 3 times an
hour.
Both parents share the task of raising the young. After 3 weeks,
the young have learned to fly and become independent. Adult birds that mate early in the
season are more likely to have a second or third brood, and it is not uncommon for the
female to be incubating the second clutch while the male continues to look after the first
fledglings.
Above: A robin puffs up its
feathers to help keep warm.
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The chirpy red-breasted European
robin is found widely throughout its range. Although it has a red breast similar to an
American robin's, it is a much smaller bird.
HABITAT
Throughout their territory, robins may be found in all natural
woodlands, where they nest and breed in the dense layer of undergrowth.
In England, where increased agriculture has resulted in the
large-scale clearing of trees, robins will also be found at the edge of woodlands and in
hedges. They have adapted, too, to living in backyards and parks where they eat from
feeders.
Above: Feeding hungry young keeps both
parents busy.
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SONG
All birds, robins included, sing mainly to mark territory and to
attract a mate, especially in spring during the breeding season. They will sing in the
middle of the night if near a bright light. Early morning song is usually associated with
establishing territory.
Unlike other birds, robins sing year-round. They are somewhat
quieter in late summer when they are molting. At this time and throughout the fall, young
birds and adults of both sexes sing a quieter, more melancholy song which serves to mark
their winter territory.
Males begin to sing the song associated with breeding as early as
December.
KEY FACTS
Length: 5 in.
Wingspan: 10 in.
Weight: 10 oz.
Sexual maturity: 1 year old. Breeding
season: April-June.
Number of broods: 2-3.
Eggs: 5-7 per clutch.
Incubation: 13-14 days.
Fledging period: 12-1 5 days.
Habit: Form pairs for breeding
season only.
Diet: Insects, worms, berries, seeds.
Lifespan: Oldest known bird lived 13 years.
Usually live for a few years only. |
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| Did You Know?
Nearly three-quarters of young robins die before they are a year
old. They are usually caught by predators or are unable to fend for themselves.
British mailmen used to be called robins because of the red
uniforms they wore.
It is mainly in England that robins have a close association with
man. Elsewhere in Europe, they are shot by the thousands for food or sport.
The American robin is also a thrush. |
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