North American Robin - things you may not know.


If you live in North America, you know what a robin is.  The ubiquitous bird that frequents lawns and hunts worms.  Yet, there are many things about robins that many people don't know.  Below are some of the more interesting facts about this oft-sighted bird.

  • Although males and females look similar, they do exhibit sexual dimorphism.  Males have a deeper shade of red for their breast feathers while the females are duller.  Males have a darker head and more conspicuous eye ring as well - see image above.
  • Robins eat more than just worms.  They are significant consumers of berries, insects, seeds, suit, and take shelled nut meats. - see image (a) below.
  • Robins engage in a behaviour called "anting."  They find an ant colony and land next to it and open their feathers.  Ants will come, crawl over the bird, and remove the parasites on the robin's skin. - see image (b).
  • Females typically incubate the eggs and tend the young, but males may occasionally incubate and may bring food to the female while she is incubating or tending the young.  - see image (c).
  • Robins may raise two or three broods each year.  Robins in my area are already starting their second batch.  - see image (d).
  • Robins often only live 2 years in the wild, but may be up to 9 years old, with one individual being recorded living to 12.
All photos taken by Eric Svendsen and are subject to copyright, 2024.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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