Robin on a Tree Branch

Robins are known as the first birds of spring, because they often migrate in February, and arrive in their nesting grounds early. Robins have been popular for centuries in song, poetry, and literature, and are considered very desirable backyard residents for their habits of eating insect larvae, although Robins will also snack on fruits and berries. Robins are early risers and are among the earliest birds to sing at dawn.

Robins are known for their industrious and authoritarian personalities, and while only forty per cent of nests produce young, and, as with all wild birds, there is a high mortality rate, lucky robins have been known to live almost fifteen years.

For breeding, Robins prefer large shade trees on lawns. Because of their habit of foraging on the ground, if you want to keep Robins alive, you should make sure that you use only organic methods of maintaining your lawn; Robins are highly susceptible to poisoning from pesticides and fertilizers. Their mating behaviours are fun to watch as males and females approach each other and flirt by holding their mouths open. Nests are typically built in trees, five to fifteen feet above ground, but Robins have also been known to nest in gutters, on outdoor light fixtures, or other places that may not be convenient to home owners. Where there is no appropriate nesting site available, Robins will nest on the ground, or on cliff sides.

Except for breeding season, Robins tend to flock together. When migrating, their flocks can contain a quarter of a million birds, which is enough to darken the sky!

Robins typically eat insects, particularly earthworms and grubs, although they have been known to catch lizards and small snakes and eat those, too. Robins are also fond of fruit and berries, particularly honeysuckle berries, and like some other birds, have been known to get drunk and helpless. If you see a drunk Robin on the ground, do not attempt to rescue it, but stay nearby to keep predators at bay. As long as you are there, the predators will not disturb the Robin.

Cowbirds often lay eggs in Robin nests, but this is not usually a problem. Robins will reject any egg laid in their nest before they lay their own, and even if a clever Cowbird manages to infiltrate the next, Robin parents usually recognize the chick is not one of their own and refuse to feed it.

Enjoy these beautiful birds and the benefits they provide to your lawn by ridding it of nuisance insects, and chirrup, chirrup!