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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 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 begin to see robins on the ground, especially on home lawns, as earthworms start to emerge! Robins will even hang out near gardeners, hoping we’ll turn over worms as they dig the soil! 

So, we think 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— using twigs, grass, and feathers and lining it with mud. She lays three to five bluish eggs, which hatch in about 2 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

Cathy (not verified)

1 year 11 months ago

In Heath, MA we have several feet of snow still on the ground, but it has melted from under my bird feeder. Grass, fallen sunflower seeds, and husks are visible on the ground under the feeder. I looked out two days ago and a robin was on the ground under the bird feeder. First seen this year. It hopped over to the edge of the snow, reached down and brought up a worm, which it proceeded to eat!!

Cory Olive (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

I grew up in town and had a lot of maple trees just to my sides. And every morning and night they would sing their delightful songs. I had about 17 years of listening to them. When I came home, after living in TX, I only get to hear one lonely guy, or gal singing and it sounds soo lonely. Not to many maples here. But the windows are open, warm or cold, just to hear MY Robins!!!

Amy Douglass (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

I enjoyed these harbingers of spring when I lived in New York. But no robins out here in Arizona. I do miss them, although spring is not nearly as dramatic in the desert.

kathleen kirchoff (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

As I was raiding my home compost heap to take some to my school garden I unearth some huge earthworms and our friendly Robin just hopped beside me and did quite a dance pecking one into 3 piece. With them drooping from her beak like whiskers she stared right at me before taking flight. The next two of them were drive bombing a squirrel running down the sidewalk. that was the first time i saw a Robin be as bold as the bully Blue Jays.

Shar Faison (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

We keep a birdbath filled with water year round. Robins are hilarious as they seem to really enjoy a good bath early in mornings and often again in the evenings. Sometimes they are so vigorous with bathing, the water level is lowered and we have to fill the bath again for other water loving birds !

Denise Kennedy (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

One day, while digging up my lawn, I saw a young robin watching me and waiting patiently for whatever would turn up. I had a lot of grubs hence the reason for digging up the lawn and replacing it with plants. I placed a large plant saucer nearby and dumped wriggling grubs in it. Every 20 minutes or so, I would walk away from the saucer and allowed the robin to feast. When he finished feasting he would go back to his watching post, I continued digging and dumping the grubs, repeating the pattern with the robin. It was a lovely moment, I do believe the robin was smiling.

Denise, that's such a nice story. Thanks for sharing that.

Heather Kranda (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

Greetings
I live in Chester VA and we have multiple Robins nesting in our back yard trees. They are definitely busy building and feeding their young. When I garden, they hang out, patiently waiting worms. I just throw them a few and they take off. I love seeing them year after year!!

Suzanne (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

We have hundreds that come in the spring here in Southern MS. Too many to count. Love to watch how some look like they are standing guard while the others eat.

Debbie Saunders (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

I live in Wilson NC and we have lots of Robins. They love the bird baths. We have five and there is always a Robin in one of them!