Species Specifics: American Robin

The robin is one of the most beloved backyard birds in North America. Who doesn’t recognize its red breast and hasn’t heard its joyous “cheerio, cheeriup, cheerio” song?

At 10", the robin is the largest member of the thrush family. The male has a black head, dark gray back, wings and tail, and a brick red breast; the female has a dark gray head and paler breast. Juvenile robins, like all thrushes, have a spotted breast.

In early spring, about 5-30' high on a horizontal limb or building ledge, the female robin builds her nest of muddy grass and small twigs lined with fine grasses. She incubates 3-7 blue eggs for about 13 days; the young robins fledge about 2 weeks later. Robins average 2-3 broods each year.

Robins eat insects and worms; the bulk of their diet, though, is comprised of fruits and berries. In late fall, large flocks of robins can strip trees and shrubs clean of any remaining berries.

Our winters have been so mild the past few years that it’s not surprising that robins and other thrushes, like bluebirds, have wintered over in the Cincinnati area. In fact, the robins range has expanded: their breeding territory has moved south and their wintering grounds have drifted northward.

Robins usually go back to their same territory for breeding, year after year. So, next spring, when you hear that cheerful “cheerio”, its an American Robin announcing its return to your backyard!