European Robin Bird Facts (Erithacus rubecula)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The European Robin is a small, plump bird with a distinctive orange-red breast and face contrasting with its grey-brown upperparts and white belly. Its round body, large head, and thin legs give it a characteristic 'puffball' appearance.

Male and female Robins are practically impossible to distinguish on looks alone. Both have big black eyes, fine grey bills and pinkish legs.

Juvenile Robins are quite distinct. These young birds are mottled in light and dark brown and do not develop their tell-tale red breast until they are a few months old.

Size

Length

12.5cm to 14cm

Wingspan

20cm to 22cm

Weight

16g to 22g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Orange

Secondary Colour

White Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The European Robin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The European Robin can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The European Robin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The European Robin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The European Robin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The European Robin can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The European Robin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The European Robin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The European Robin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The European Robin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The European Robin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The European Robin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

European Robins are widespread across Europe, from the UK and Ireland to western Siberia. They inhabit various wooded areas, including deciduous and mixed forests, parks, farmland and gardens.

While some northern populations migrate south for winter, many UK Robins are resident year-round. They've adapted well to human presence, frequently seen in urban and suburban areas.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a European Robin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Algeria Andorra Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iran Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Morocco Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria Tajikistan The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Montenegro Norway Russia Serbia Spain

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bahrain Cyprus Iraq Jordan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Palestine Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates

Species that pass through the area during migration

Turkmenistan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Afghanistan Iceland Japan Mauritania Oman Qatar Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The European Robin displays considerable agility, with its characteristic quick hops and ability to manoeuvre through dense vegetation. Its small size and round body shape allow for nimble movements, particularly when foraging on the ground or navigating through branches.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small bird weighing only 16-22 grams, the European Robin has limited strength compared to larger avian species. However, it possesses enough strength to defend its territory and forage effectively for insects and worms.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

European Robins demonstrate high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to urban gardens. Their ability to adjust their diet seasonally and their successful colonisation of human-altered environments showcase their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 75

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Despite their small size, European Robins are notably aggressive in defending their territories year-round. Both males and females exhibit territorial behaviour, and their boldness in approaching humans further indicates their assertive nature.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While not known for long-distance migrations, European Robins display moderate endurance. They can inhabit areas from sea level to 2,500 metres elevation, suggesting some capacity for sustained activity. Their year-round singing, including at night, also indicates a fair level of stamina.

Diet

European Robins are primarily insectivorous, feeding on worms, insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They forage on the ground and are often seen tilting their heads as they listen for prey movement.

In autumn and winter, when insects are relatively scarce, they supplement their diet with carbohydrate-rich berries, seeds and fruit.

Behaviour

European Robins are known for their bold and inquisitive nature, often approaching humans closely. They are fiercely territorial, with both males and females defending their areas year-round. Robins are frequently seen perched upright, making short, quick hops on the ground to forage.

Vocalisation

Both male and female Robins sing although males do almost all of the singing in spring. Their song is varied and melodious, including many warbled and whistled notes.

Robins sing from before sunrise and end soon after sunset, although some continue to sing into the night in well-lit urban areas. These birds also produce a range of shorter ‘tic’ and ‘seep’ notes in alarm, during aggressive encounters, and to maintain contact with their partners.

It's one of the few birds that sing year-round, including at night in areas with artificial lighting. Their alarm call is a sharp, repeated 'tic-tic-tic'.

Nesting & Breeding

The breeding season for European Robins typically starts in March and can last until August. Males court females with song and offering food.

Nests are built using leaves, moss, and grass in various locations, from tree hollows to man-made objects. Females lay 4-6 pale blue or white eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 14-16 days but remain dependent on adults for another three weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the European Robin is currently of Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and climate change. In the UK, it's protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats in urban and rural areas.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

130,000,000 - 201,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Robin, Robin Redbreast

Family:

Muscicapidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Predators

Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Ground-nesting Robins are also vulnerable to foxes, rodents, and snakes.

Did You Know?

European Robins can recognise human faces and may become tame enough to feed from the hand.
They're the unofficial national bird of the United Kingdom, declared by The Times on December 15th, 1960.
Robins often sing at night in urban areas, especially under streetlights.
Robins each have a unique breast pattern that can be used to identify different individuals.
The maximum recorded age for the species is an impressive 19 years and four months.

FAQs

What do you call a group of Robins?

a blush of robins
a bobbin of robins
a breast of robins
a carol of robins
a gift of robins
a reliant of robins
a riot of robins
a rouge of robins
a round of robins
a ruby of robins

Do Robins communicate with humans?

Robins are not known to communicate with humans. These familiar birds use their voices to communicate with other members of their species.

How do you befriend a Robin?

Robins, like many other garden birds, can become very tame and confiding. The easiest way to their heart is through their stomach, and regular feeding with tasty morsels like mealworms will keep your local pair of Robins returning to your garden.

Why do Robins have red breasts?

Male robins use their red breasts during the breeding season as a way of settling territorial disputes, which means the colour actually plays quite a significant role for the birds, other than just being a delightful sight on a winter day.