The American Robin or Robin Red Breast is a common bird in the thrush family that is found throughout the United States. It is the state bird of Michigan, Wisconsin and Connecticut. The robin is a migratory bird; it spends springs and summers in the northern North America and the winters in the south and Mexico.
Facts
The robin is a common bird, found in habitats as varied as forests to golf courses. The robin is usually seen during the day and at night tends to flock with other robins for safety while sleeping. The robin awakes early and it is one of the earliest birds to sing at dawn. The robin is often the victim of other predatory animals such as cats, snakes and birds of prey.
Identification
The robin is the largest of the thrushes that live in North America. They have gray and brown backs with a bright orange breast. The feathers on the head are typically dark colored. When flying, a white patch can be seen on the belly. Females are less intense in color. The robin has a large body with long legs and tail. A typical robin weighs about 2.7 ounces and has a wingspan of about 5 inches.
Location and Diet
The robin is common anywhere from Alaska to Mexico. Their migratory patterns depend on the season. They usually fly south at the end of August and return to cooler climes in February and March. The robin typically eats caterpillars and grasshoppers. They also eat berries. The robin hunts worms by sight, running across a lawn, for example, and then stopping to pluck a worm from the ground.
Breeding
The robin can have up to three broods of young per year. Despite the number of egg laid, survival rate is low. Only 40 percent of the eggs produced will become chicks and only 25 percent of those born will make it to November. While the average life span for a robin is 6 years, some can live to be 14. The incubation period for an egg is 14 days. Chicks remain in the nest for two weeks before flying away.
Threats
Though the population of robins is generally strong, there are still many threats to the bird. Young robins are often eaten by other birds, squirrels and snakes. Because robins feed on lawns, they are susceptible to pesticide poisoning. At one point people hunted the bird for meat, but the Migratory Bird Act of 1918 now protects the robin. Sometimes nests fall prey to brood parasitism, but it is rare.
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