American Robin

Turdus migratorius

This cheerful songbird with its bright orange breast is a beloved harbinger of spring across North American backyards and parks.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The American Robin is a medium-sized thrush with a round body, long legs, and a fairly long tail. Adults display a warm orange underside and breast, contrasting with a dark brown to gray back and head. Their throats are white with black streaks and have distinctive white eye crescents.

Males typically have brighter, more vivid coloration than females, especially on the head and breast. Juveniles are spotted on the breast, resembling other thrushes, before molting into adult plumage.

Size

Length

23cm to 28cm

Wingspan

31cm to 40cm

Weight

77g to 85g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Orange

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Orange

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The American Robin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The American Robin can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The American Robin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The American Robin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The American Robin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The American Robin can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The American Robin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The American Robin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The American Robin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The American Robin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The American Robin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The American Robin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

American Robins are found across North America, from Alaska and Canada to central Mexico. They inhabit various environments, including woodlands, forests, tundra edges, and human-modified landscapes like parks, gardens, and agricultural areas.

While some populations in northern regions migrate south for winter, others are year-round residents, especially in the United States. Urban areas often see an increase in robin populations during colder months as birds seek food and shelter.

Elevation Range

1,200 to 3,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a American 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