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Bird Sounds: American Robin

An American Robin heralds the coming of spring.

Photo Credit
Photo by William H. Majoros via Wikimedia Commons

All About the American Robin—Harbinger of Spring!

Catherine Boeckmann
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A harbinger of spring, the American robin is one of North America’s most common and beloved songbirds. Take a listen to their cheery song and learn some surprising facts about the robin.

Click above to hear the sounds and bird song of the American Robin. Compliments of

Facts About the American Robin

Robins are fairly large songbirds, about 8 to 11 inches long with a wingspan of 12 to 16 inches. They are the largest of North American thrushes, almost half again as big as a bluebird. Their scientific name, Turdus migratorius, appropriately means “wandering thrush.â€

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We all know robins by their round warm orange breast and long tails. The female looks similar to the male, just a little duller.

It’s fun to watch robins foraging on the ground. They will run a few steps and stop abruptly. In long grass, they even hop. Then they stare motionless at an earthworm with their head cocked to one side. Sometimes, two robins will even tug at the same earthworm, fighting over their food, which can be amusing to those of us watching from the kitchen window!

Robins are often called the harbingers of spring, however, they are often around all winter in many parts of the U.S. and even parts of Canada. They’re just roosting in nearby trees and their diet is mostly fruit (berries). 

You begin hearing them sing in the spring as daylight lengthens, because the males start to declare their territories and attract females; robins are one of the earliest nesters. Plus, you’ll start to see robins on the ground, especially on home lawns, as earthworms start to emerge! They’ll even hang out near gardeners, hoping that we’ll turn over worms as they dig the soil! 

So, we think that you could still call robins’ song a sign of spring! 

Because the robin forages largely on lawns, it is vulnerable to pesticide poisoning; consider reducing toxins from pesticides and fertilizers as contaminated soil particles adhere to the skin of worms. Robins also often ingest lead left over from leaded gasoline and paint.

Many readers complain that robins are a little aggressive. We would call them authoritarian. As early nesters, they are industrious, getting ready to mate, brood, and feed. Robins may have two or three broods a season. The female does the nest building, although the male might bring her some materials, making it of twigs, grass, and feathers and lining it with mud. She lays three to five bluish eggs which hatch in about two weeks. Very busy!

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds!

Have you heard an American robin? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Bird Sounds
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË found each other. She leads digital content for the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

L E Foster (not verified)

4 years 6 months ago

I love to watch them take a shower when I run my sprinklers!
I live in West Texas.

Deb Bradley (not verified)

5 years 7 months ago

The prolonged cold weather this year is making for a very late Spring - I finally saw a robin - actually 3 - perched in a maple tree on my property in the Genesee Valley region of New York state. Since then I've had many visitors, and hear their sweet warbling in the evening once again!

Susan Vaughn (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

I have been feeding wild birds on my property for 21 years, last fall (2018) I would put out birdseed and they did not come, my neighbor also feeds them, and noticed the same anamoly. They returned back last December. We live in the Cascade mountain range in a town called Cle Elum, Wa. Elevation 2,500. Have their been other reports on this?

Gayle (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

We play a little game in our family of "who spots the first robin of Spring". I will stop dead in my tracks when I hear one and scan every tree in search of my favorite song bird in hopes of being the first!

Deborah Ortega (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

I live in Westminster Colorado and I occasionally see a robin. One year there were about 20 birds in my tree. They must have been migrating through Colorado it was a sight to see.

Suzanne Fenton (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

These are the first birds I hear after the rain or storm. It’s how I know it’s over. Guess it brings out the worms and they are reminding everyone it’s their meal

Detroit Joseph (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

The Robin is our favorite visitor to our yard both spring & summer...and yes we enjoy his song.

We don't see them here in Detroit Michigan in the winter even tho' you say they're here.

We do feed a group of 12 - 15 Goldfinches, a couple Snowbirds, several pairs of Mr. & Mrs. Cardinals, 2 pairs of Morning Doves and way too many aggressive Eurasian Tree Sparrows and an occasional male Ring-necked Pheasant...but with all that activity no Robins have made a winter visit thus far in the 10 + years we've lived here.

I enjoyed reading this article as I do with many of the fine features of the Old Farmer's ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË...and getting to listen to a voice of a friendly Robin.

Thank you.

Renee Kennedy (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

I love the robins and wrens that have taken up in my yard. I keep 2 feeders and a bird bath filled up for them. The little Carolina wrens like to nest in all my hanging plants. I also have the cigar-shaped birds that nest in the chimney; I can't bear to cover the chimney hole in the warmer months and deprive them of a place to nest, although the noise fills up the house all summer!

Pamela Montoya (not verified)

5 years 8 months ago

We have them here in Utah ,, Springville there has been more than usual..For about 2 weeks, We have grubs in the lawn so the more the merrier.. Got some more snow this morning. we have had a great water year so far..Welcome March to everyone.. Happy Spring...

Nena Cook (not verified)

6 years 8 months ago

They are here now that most all 'white' stuff is gone and saw them even grabbing earthworms so they've migrated up now too.......love sound of the Robin, now can distinguish it well from the Redwing which comes next here..........lots of Robins, so fat and beautiful, a pair always nest here every season in our Blue spruce tree in back yard and when outside cats get too close they will attack, seen it done! LOL