Scientific Name:   Turdus migratorius

Length:   23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in)

Weight:   77 g (2.7 oz)

Wingspan:   31 to 41 cm (12 to 16 in)

Nest:   The nest is a cup of grasses, twigs, debris, worked into solid foundation of mud, lined with fine grasses and plant fibers. Males arrive before females on nesting grounds and defend territories by singing, sometimes by fighting. In early stages of courtship, female may be actively pursued by one or several males. Nest: Female does most of nest building with some help from male.

Eggs:   Usually 4, sometimes 3-7. Pale blue or "robin's-egg blue." Incubation by female, 12-14 days.

Feeding Behavior:   Mostly insects, berries, earthworms. In early summer, insects make up majority of diet; also feeds on many earthworms, snails, spiders, other invertebrates. Feeds heavily on fruit, especially in winter (fruit accounts for perhaps 60% of diet year-round); mainly wild berries, also some cultivated fruits. Young are fed mostly on insects and earthworms.

Young:   Both parents feed young, though female does more. Parents very aggressive in defense of nest. Young leave the nest about 14-16 days after hatching. Male may tend the fledged young while female begins second nesting attempt. 2 broods per season, sometimes 3.

Range:   Robins can be found year round almost anywhere south of Canada. Birds that breed from Canada to the north slope of Alaska leave in fall for the U.S. Some robins winter as far south as the Southwest, Mexico, and the Gulf Coast. The American robin's breeding habitat is woodland and more open farmland and urban areas.

Brief Description:   Brick-red chest, gray back, streaks on white chin. Small white spots around eyes and (usually) on tail corners. Male usually has blacker head, slightly richer colors than female. Juvenile can be confusing at first: heavily spotted below, mottled on back, pale marks on face.