The American robin is the most favorite bird of kids. And why won’t it be? Its grey trunk with the orange belly is so fascinating. In Northern regions, this migratory bird is seen during the spring season, around early April.
A glimpse of a robin, and there know that spring is here. Isn’t it amazing to know some fun facts about this eye-catching bird?
Here, we will take you on a journey of amazing facts about your favorite bird that you never knew. From its looks to its voice, we will let you know all about robin facts. So, let us go.
1. Robin’s Sweet Songs
Robin’s whistle is probably the most pleasant sound you have ever heard. Once its voice reaches your ears, you will fall in love with it instantly. Its voice will give you an instant dopamine hit and will make your soul dance. We are not exaggerating. Robin’s sound is genuinely that sweet.
It makes a variety of sounds in different environments. It chirps, whistles, warbles, and makes high-pitched sounds sometimes. It sings in a rhythm with a periodic fall in the pitch. When robin communicates with other birds, it makes a sharp and continuous sound. It produces a high-pitched sound (especially females) in case of any threat.
It is one of the birds you will hear first at dawn. And it is the last bird you will heat at dusk. Early in the morning, its voice is quite brisk, and it calms down gradually till the evening. American robin also makes different kinds of sounds to attract the robins of the opposite sex.
Usually, the male robin sings sweeter than the female ones. The songs that we hear at dawn are mostly sung by males. Robin also sings when it is about to rain.
Robin’s cheering songs are full of enthusiasm and will surely cheer you up if you are feeling down.
2. Famous Throughout the World
The American robin is mostly seen in northern regions during spring, but it is well-known throughout the world. In winters, they reside in the tall woods of many other countries.
Robin is not only seen in northern America but is also seen greatly in Canada, Mexico, and even some parts of Alaska. It is the state bird of many states in the world including Connecticut and Wisconsin. Michigan is also one of them.
In 2013, it was depicted on the 11th coin of the birds of Canada series. It was a 25 cents quarter dollar. In 1986, it appeared on a note of $2 of birds of Canada series.
3. How Did American Robin get Its Identity?
The American robin is often confused with the European robin. It is because the American robin is very similar to the European robin in appearance. In fact, the American robin got its name from the European robin due to their close resemblance. The main part of their resemblance is their redbreast. This is an important Robin fact so that you will not get confused the next time one of it visits your lawn.
Its scientific name is Turdus migratorius. It is a part of the thrush family.
4. Mythological Stories
After reading some basic robin facts, let us read about some interesting mythological facts about this red- breast bird. It is said that robin took fire on its chest to save a couple of people. And that is how it got its red breast. Let us read the story in detail which is based on an Irish fable.
Long ago, there was a couple of father and son who were travelling during winters. The winter winds were so harsh, that they had to stop somewhere nearby to get a shelter. They arranged some firewood sticks and lit them up to get some warmth and light. The father was protecting the fire while the son was sleeping. But unfortunately, the son could not fall asleep due to cruel climatic conditions. The land was totally frozen, adding further difficulties.
After some time, as the father was feeling heavy-eyed, he woke his son up, warned him to protect fire and fell asleep. Then, the son started protecting the fire. But alas! No one could change what was destined. The son’s eyes too began to droop, and he too fell asleep. They did not get up for a longer time as they were exhausted because of travelling. The flame got dimmer and dimmer.
Taking advantage of their condition, some wild animals started approaching the poor father-son pair. A wild wolf started going closer to them. They hardly could sense the danger approaching them. Suddenly, a small bird, without caring for its life, jumped into the burning flames and took the fire on its breast. The fire started burning vigorously over its breast, the breast melting into the color of fire.
Another myth also suggests that if a pregnant woman catches sight of robin, it brings a stroke of good luck for her as well as her future little one. Not only for a pregnant woman but for many other people, it is an indication of good fortune and an auspicious beginning to a new life.
Another story about the American robin shows its bravery. It goes this way. During the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the robin observed a thorn in Christ’s eyebrow. Robin felt the misery of Jesus and took a flight towards him. It pulled the thorn out of Jesus Christ’s brow and his blood fell upon its breast. It is also believed that the courageous bird was wounded during this act.
After reading these mythological robin facts, you have developed more interest in knowing about other American robin facts, isn’t it?
5. Robin’s Keen Vision
Here comes the most interesting robin fact. Alike most of the birds, robin too has very sharp eyesight. They can easily notice the smallest movements of earthworms and other worms from a long distance. Robin can also notice any changes in the land causes by its prey.
More to the point, as it is a migratory bird, it is believed that robin can see the magnetic field. Yes, you read that right. Robins can see the earth’s magnetic field which can help them approach in the correct direction during migration. Some unusual chemicals in their retina which is sensitive to light and thus, to magnetic field acts as an in-built compass for the robins.
This compass is situated in its right eye, especially in adult robins. It is also believed by the scientists that as a child, the robin has this extra-ordinary vision in both of its eyes but loses it from the left eye gradually as it matures.
6. Red Robin- A Big Foodie
Did you know that robin is a big fan of sugary treats? Probably no. American robins feed on a variety of foods. From worms to jellies, they love it all. Usually, during daytime, it depends upon a variety of worms like mealworms and earthworms. This list includes a variety of insects too such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, snails, beetle grubs and spiders.
Later in the day, it mostly loves to snack on wild berries, and some other fruit like apple, grapes, and raisins. It can also feed upon seeds of some flowers. Some varieties of nuts and suet are also a part of their meal.
They can survive on anything according to their surrounding conditions. But if the food is available in plenty, they often choose a diet including more berries and fewer worms. In winters if worms are not easily available, they can survive on berries and fruits. Indeed, the robin is very fond of sweets.
If American robins are the regular visitors in your lawn, and you wish to offer some little treats to them, you can provide them with some peanuts and slices of banana. A variety of berries will also draw their attention greatly. Robins need a meal around 2-3 times a day.
Ever seen a drunken robin? Robins often get tipsy after having fermented berries. Interesting robin fact, isn’t it? So next time you see a robin falling while flying or walking, you know that it is high on berries. This might be your most favorite robin fact, isn’t it?
7. American Robins- Master of Flight
American robins are faster than many other birds their size and species. Usually, their flying speed is average; around 20 to 25 miles per hour at a height of 500 feet approximately. But during migration, they can speed up to 36 miles per hour, flying around 250 miles per day. The height of their flight is also affected greatly. It increases up to 2000 to 5000 feet. The gusty wind at higher altitude helps them to fly faster.
American robins are characterized by their running and hopping nature. it is one of the main robin facts. During non-migrating days, they are easily seen in lawns and on trees searching for food. If they ever visit your backyard, you will see them running for some distance, taking a short flight, and them walking for some distance again.
8. Female Robin- A Diligent Worker
Robins must build their nest before they lay eggs. And the whole building work is done by the female. However, males help the females to bring some of the material needed to build the nest. The material mostly needed is dead grass and scion. During the nest-building and incubation period, male robins also bring more amount of food for their loved mate.
After the young baby’s hatch and are ready to fledge, both the parents nurture their little ones equally.
9. Red Bird’s Blue Eggs
If you have ever seen a robin laying its eggs, one thing might have left you puzzled. Why do red robins lay blue eggs, isn’t it? We have searched a lot just to get you out of that confusion. The reason is that the eggshell has a layer of pigment called biliverdin. This chemical is responsible for the blue color of eggs.
This chemical helps the eggs to camouflage from their predators. Their color gets merged in the surrounding environment and saves them from being someone’s prey. Sometimes, the eggs get damaged due to harmful U.V. radiation of the sun. this pigmented shell protects the chicks from these radiations.
As far as the health of the baby robins is concerned, the darker the color of the shell, the better is the baby’s health.
10. Male and Female Robin Facts
When you look at a robin in your yard or on a tree, out of curiosity, you might want to know whether the robin is a male or a female. So, if you find the feathers of the robin faded in color, it is a female. Female robins are dull in color. Their feathers are pale grey, and their breast is more of tangerine. They are known for having a white belly.
On the other hand, the male American robins are brighter in appearance. They have a brilliant pure orange belly and breast, with very little white part. Their feathers are also charcoal grey in color.
A surprising fact is that baby robins do not resemble males nor females. In fact, they do not even have a red breasts. Their brownish shade helps them to camouflage from their predators.
A study on robin facts says that American robins do not have a single mate for their entire life. They change their mates every year. Once the babies are mature enough to leave the nest, the mated robins go their own ways.
So, here the journey of amazing robin facts ends. It has been the most interesting journey for us so far. And we hope for you too. So, the next time an American robin visits your lawn, any of its behavior will not be surprising for you. Moreover, you will be knowing a lot too much about it.