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The American Robin is a common sight on lawns across North America. Robins make an early spring appearance, and to some folks they are a sure sign of spring.

Identification: Robins are a fairly large songbird with long legs and a long tail. Robins are a gray-brown, with orange underparts, and a black head. In flight a white patch can be seen on the lower belly and tail. Females have paler heads, and the orange underparts are sometimes not as bright as the males.

Behavior: Robins tend to be the “leader of the pack”. They will often bully other birds. Robins have an amusing habit of running across lawns and roads instead of flying. In the fall and winter they form large flocks and gather in trees in search of berries.

Habitat: Robins are common across the US in gardens, parks, yards, and fields. They can also be found in deciduous woodlands, pine forests, and shrub lands.

Diet: The Robins diet consists mainly of insects, worms, fruits, and berries. They will occasionally ingest enough fermented berries to exhibit intoxicated behavior, such as falling over while walking. ( It’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.)

Nesting: The Robin begins to breed shortly after returning to its summer range. They usually have 2-3 broods per breeding season. The nest is located 5-15 feet above the ground in dense shrubs or in a fork between two tree branches. The nest is built entirely by the female. The outer part of the nest is made of grass, twigs, and feathers. The inner part is lined with mud, grass, and other soft materials. A new nest is built for each brood. There are 3-5 eggs laid. The eggs hatch in 14-15 days. The chicks fledge 14-15 days later.

Backyard Tips: On occasion I have seen a Robin at one of my feeders. However, Robins do not generally come to feeders. I have found that a birdbath filled with fresh water, or any other water feature will encourage Robins to spend more time in my yard. I have had several Robins in my yard the last couple of years that seem to be in the birdbath more than they hunt for food. And if the birdbath is empty they have been quite vocal in expressing their displeasure. Robins will also stay in your yard if you have dense areas of shrubs for nesting.