The American robin By Sherrie Versluis
For many the arrival of the American robin is a sure sign spring is on its way. T
here is no bird more recognized in North America than the robin. They are known to many
as a true sign of the arrival of spring. After a deep cold winter no one can deny the excitement of seeing their first robin or hearing their glorious calls fill the morning air. In fact, you are bound to hear people chatting in the grocery store or at the workplace about their first sighting. Little does this bird know the impact it has on us humans and how excited we are to see them. Although, you’d have to think they are just as pleased to be here with all that singing throughout every neighbor- hood. American robins are most noted for
their rusty-red breasted appearance. They are a fair size for a songbird and
30 • Early Spring 2016
are actually the largest of the Thrush family in North America. Both males and females are similar in plumage with the only difference being that the female is slightly paler in colour. The American robin is considered one of the most prolific species in North America, second only to red-winged blackbirds. Robins are not only one of the first
birds to arrive but they are also one of the first to start nesting. The female builds the nest on her own in shrubs or evergreen trees. To encourage American Robin’s to nest in your yard, consider a nesting platform placed in a secluded spot. Robins will have up to three broods per season and will have three to five chicks per nest. The eggs hatch in about 14 days and a mere two weeks later the young will fledge.
The chicks are fed a variety of worms, insects and berries. Once they have left the nest they are
unable to fly for approximately two more weeks. During this time the parents continue to feed them on the ground secretly under shrubs and trees. Sadly, during this time predators like free-roaming cats and hawks often prey upon the vulnerable fledglings. Stud- ies have shown that only 25 per cent of young robins survive their first year of life. The average lifespan of a robin is
only about two years but leg bands have shown lengthier life spans of up to 14 years. There are 28 species of birds of prey that hunt robins with some of the most common being Cooper and sharp-shinned hawks, merlins, and
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