robin
1. Bird Name
The bird in focus for this profile is generally known as the Robin or the American Robin. Its scientific name is Turdus migratorius, which intriguingly refers to its migratory nature.
2. Appearance
The American Robin is instantly recognizable for its warm red or rust-colored bellies, contrasting the mostly gray or brownish plumage covering the rest of its body. Its blackish or brown head and tail are usually marked with white spots. The bird sports a sharp, straight, and long yellow beak. While both sexes don a similar appearance, males are generally more vibrant than females. The female robins possess somewhat duller, more washed-out colors than their male counterparts.
3. Size
These robust birds have an impressive average length of around 20-28cm or about 7.9-11 inches. They boast a commendable wingspan of about 31-40cm (17 inches), and typically weigh from 75gm to 209gm.
4. Habitat & Distribution
American Robins are popularly seen across North America, commonly spotted in Canada, United States, Mexico, and Guatemala, making homes in suburban areas, forest edges, fields, gardens, and parks. The bird thrives in moist environments and is most drawn to hardwood forests and mountainous terrains.
5. Interesting Facts
One fascinating fact about Robins is their migratory nature. These birds are known to travel long distances, journeying south to Mexico and Guatemala during winter, and returning to the cooler northern areas in the summer. Moreover, they are revered in American culture as they symbolize the advent of spring. Their vivid red bellies and cheerful songs are often associated with cheerfulness and renewal.
6. Diet
The diet of the American Robin is highly versatile, comprising fruits, berries, invertebrates, and a wide range of insects. They are particularly fond of earthworms, which they catch after a characteristic run-and-pause hunting technique on the ground.
7. Behavior & Sounds
One of the early morning birds, American Robins are known for their extraordinarily melodic songs featuring a series of cheerful sounds described as ‘cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio’. Males often display their bright red belly as part of the mating ritual.
8. Conservation Status
The conservation status of the American Robin, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is one of ‘Least Concern’. This implies that the species currently doesn’t face any significant threats to its population.
9. Lifespan
American Robins ordinarily live between two to three years in the wild. However, if they manage to survive the critical first year of their life, they can go on to live 5 to 6 years. One noteworthy case even recorded a robin living for an astounding 14 years.
10. Additional Notes
From a local perspective, the robin is known as ‘Merle d’Amérique’ in French, and ‘Mirlo Primavera’ in Spanish. In terms of their role in the ecosystem, robins serve as both predators and prey. They help control insect populations and, on the other side of the food chain, are a food source for larger predators. Moreover, their preference for fruit makes them excellent seed dispersers, aiding in the propagation of various plant species. Despite their wild nature, robins have been known to make nests in human residential areas, being relatively comfortable around human habitation.
