<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='360084'>American Robin
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En bref
- Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
- Spanish Name: Zorzal americano
- Family: Turdidae
- Known Nicknames: Robin, Robin Redbreast
- Average Length: 23–28 cm / 9–11 in
- Average Weight: 72–95 g / 2.5–3.4 oz
- Wingspan: 31–41 cm / 12–16 in
- Key Feature: Reddish-orange breast and belly
- Primary Diet: Primarily Insectivore and Frugivore
- Range: North America, from Alaska and Canada to southern Mexico and Central America
- Habitat: Open woodlands, suburban gardens, parks, and farmland
- Social Structure: Solitary during breeding; forms large flocks in winter
- Nesting/Breeding: Tree forks, ledges, or man-made structures (cup nest of mud and grass)
- Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
- Évolution démographique : Stable
The American Robin (*Turdus migratorius*) is a beloved thrush and a herald of spring across North America, instantly recognizable by its warm, brick-red breast and contrasting dark gray-brown back and head. A medium-sized songbird, it boasts a full, round belly, a long tail, and a cheerful, melodic song often described as a series of clear, liquid "cheerily, cheer-up" notes. Its most unique characteristic is its remarkable adaptability: while it famously forages on lawns for earthworms by tilting its head to listen for movement, it also thrives in forests, suburbs, and city parks, feasting on berries in winter. Special features include the female's paler, more muted coloration for camouflage while nesting, and the species' incredible migratory prowess, with some individuals traveling over 2,000 miles to southern wintering grounds, making it one of the most widespread and familiar birds on the continent.
Faits amusants
Despite its name and appearance, the American Robin is actually a thrush, not a true robin, and its scientific name *Turdus migratorius* literally translates to "migratory thrush." They have an incredible sense of hearing that allows them to locate earthworms by detecting the faint sounds of their movements just below the soil. A quirky behavior is their "head-cocking" motion—they tilt their head sideways to use one eye to look for prey, as their eyes are set on the sides of their head. In winter, they switch from eating mostly worms and insects to gorging on fermented berries, which can sometimes make them appear drunk and uncoordinated. They are also fiercely territorial, and a female robin will often build her nest on a solid foundation like a light fixture or ledge, sometimes reusing the same spot for multiple broods in a single season.
Habitats et répartition
The American Robin is found across nearly all of North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the United States and into central Mexico. Its habitat is remarkably diverse, thriving in open woodlands, suburban lawns and gardens, parks, farmlands, and city streets. It prefers areas with a mix of trees or shrubs for nesting and open, grassy ground for foraging. While many populations migrate southward in winter, robins often remain in or return to cooler regions as soon as the snow melts, adapting to berry-rich forests and wetlands during the colder months.
Comportements & Reproduction
American Robins are generally monogamous during a single breeding season, though some males may attempt extra-pair copulations. Males establish territories and attract females by singing from prominent perches, puffing out their chests, and engaging in chases. Once paired, the female builds a cup-shaped nest of mud and grass, often in a tree fork or on a ledge, while the male defends the area. The female lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs and incubates them alone for about 12–14 days, during which the male brings her food. Both parents feed the altricial young, which fledge after roughly 14–16 days. A unique reproductive strategy is their ability to raise two to three broods per season, often using the same nest for successive clutches, which maximizes reproductive output in temperate regions. Socially, robins are highly territorial during breeding but form loose, nomadic flocks in winter, foraging together on lawns and in fields.
Alimentation
The American Robin has a highly varied and opportunistic diet that shifts dramatically with the seasons. In early spring and summer, they primarily feast on soft-bodied invertebrates, with earthworms being a staple—they locate worms by sight and sound, cocking their heads to detect movement in the soil. They also consume a wide range of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, as well as spiders and snails. As summer progresses into fall and winter, their diet pivots almost entirely to fruits and berries, such as wild cherries, dogwood berries, juniper, and crabapples. An interesting fact is that robins can become intoxicated and even die from eating fermented berries that have frozen and thawed repeatedly, producing alcohol. Additionally, they are known to swallow small stones and grit, which help grind up tough fruit skins and insect exoskeletons in their gizzard, as they lack teeth.
Couleurs
The American Robin has a warm reddish-orange breast and belly, contrasting with a dark gray-brown back, head, and tail. Its throat is white with dark streaks, and it has a broken white eye ring. Males are generally more vibrant than females. While not strongly camouflaged, the darker upperparts help it blend into tree branches, and the pale belly can break up its silhouette against the sky when viewed from below.
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- Coucher de soleil à Santiago Atitlán
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