Birds: R for Robins

posted in: Birds | 2

We always await the return of the robins, sometime in mid February … a sure sign that spring is on the way.

robins at craftygardener.ca

Spring arrives on/or around March 20/21 but we all know that the first day of spring isn’t always the first spring day.  We long for the warmth of the sun, the growth in the garden and the chirping of the robins.

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The American robin belongs to the thrush family.  This migrating bird is named after the European robin because of its orange tummy however the European robin belongs to the flycatcher family.  The male robin returns to the area first and the female a week or so later.  They pair up and mate but only till the young ones are raised.

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The male and female look almost the same but the male has brighter colours.

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During the day the robin can be seen hopping over the lawns looking for grubs, beetles and worms which make up most of its diet.  It does also eat berries.  Robins come back to the same area year after year and frequently use the same nest.  The female picks out the nesting spot and busily makes the nest.

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This nest is above our garage door (on top of the light fixture) and each year there is a nest with 2 or 3 babies.  They nest early before all the leaves are out on the trees and the first one is usually in an evergreen tree for protection.  Each robin usually builds 2 nests a year and only the female incubates the eggs, though both parents help with the constant feeding.

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Robins are one of the first birds to sing in the morning and one of the last to sing at night.  Males are the more vocal ones.

robinmar1a

The robins are singing loudly around here, and have been sighted in the trees.

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Then there was the year they nested right on the bakers rack in the garden. One day I was moving decorations out to the rack and the next day there was a nest there.

robin's nest on the bakers rack at craftygardener.ca

I wonder where they will nest this year.

spruceline2a

more birds in the garden

robins in February at craftygardener.ca

2 Responses

  1. Gail

    We have had several robin’s nests on our property. On the downspout, on a light fixture, in the trees, in a hanging basket . We already have seen several robins in the neighbourhood

    • Crafty

      It is so much fun (and interesting) to watch the robin’s nests and how the babies progress. They don’t seem particular where they make their nests, sometimes in the most inconvenient places. Thanks for visiting and taking time to leave a comment.

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