European Robin
Least ConcernErithacus rubecula
Visual Identification
European Robin
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Lifespan
years
The European Robin typically lives for 2 to 3 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Robins in gardens, parks, and woodland edges
- Listen for their melodious warbling song, especially at dawn and dusk
- Watch for their characteristic 'head-cocking' behaviour when hunting for worms
- In the UK, they're often seen following gardeners, waiting for unearthed insects
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Robin, Robin Redbreast
Family:
MuscicapidaePredators
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.
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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.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Erithacus rubecula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22709675A131953953.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC