American Robin

American robin

NPS Photo / Ian Kessler

Turdus migratorius

American robins are common birds that are frequently seen because they are comfortable living close to people. They are found year-round in most of the contiguous United States and can be found throughout most of Canada and Alaska during the summer months.

They eat berries and insects, including earthworms and other small invertebrates. They often forage on the ground, especially on open lawns where they can readily see insects moving around. Robins forage in flocks when they aren’t nesting.

Males will establish and defend territories for mating by singing and even fighting. Once they have chosen a mate, female robins will build the nest, usually without much help from the male. Robins usually build nests on tree branches, but in more urban areas they may build nests on the ledges of buildings. Females lay an average of four eggs per clutch but can raise two or even three clutches in a year. Both parents will defend the nest.

 

Did You Know?

• Sometimes the male robin will continue caring for the young while the female will begin preparing for another brood of eggs.
• Earthworms are an important part of the American robin’s diet, especially when they are trying to find food for their chicks.

 

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Sources

Kaufman, K. (2001). Lives of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Wheelwright, N. T. (1986). The diet of American Robins: an analysis of US Biological Survey records. The Auk, 103(4), 710-725.