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Open Search Bird GuideThrushesAmerican Robin Listen 10 American Robin Adult Male.Photo:Brian KushnerFledgling.Photo:Kari Douglass/Audubon Photography AwardsAdult female.Photo:Brain KushnerAdult.Photo:Joseph Mahoney/Audubon Photography AwardsJuvenile.Photo:Jeanette Tasey/Audubon Photography AwardsAdult male.Photo:Brian KushnerAdult.Photo:Seth Davis/Great Backyard Bird CountAdult male.Photo:Shayna Marchese/Great Backyard Bird Count American Robin Turdus migratorius At a Glance Range & Identification Behavior Conservation Explore More Back to Top
Migrates in flocks, often by day. Although some American Robins winter as far north as Canada, they are in localized concentrations then. With the breakup of flocks before the nesting season, when northerners see their "first robin of spring," it may be a bird that has wintered only a few miles away, not one that has just arrived from southern climates. To the south, winter range is highly variable from year to year, depending on local food supplies.
Description
Sexes similar — Length: 8–11 in (20–28 cm); wingspan: 12–16 in (31–40 cm); weight: 3 oz (77–85 g). The American Robin has a brick-red chest, gray back, and streaks on a white chin. Small white spots around eyes and (usually) on tail corners. Male American Robins usually have a blacker head and slightly richer colors than females. Juvenile can be confusing at first: heavily spotted below, mottled on the back, with pale marks on the face. Look for a reddish tinge on the chest. Size About the size of a Robin Color Black, Brown, Gray, Orange, Red, Yellow Wing Shape Pointed Tail Shape Rounded, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
Song is a series of rich caroling notes, rising and falling in pitch: cheer-up, cheerily, cheer-up, cheerily. Call Pattern Flat, Undulating Call Type Chirp/Chip, Flute, Whistle
Habitat
Cities, towns, lawns, farmland, forests; in winter, berry-bearing trees. Over most of the continent, summers are wherever there are trees for nest sites and mud for nest material. In the arid Southwest, summers are typically found in coniferous forests in the mountains, rather than in well-watered lowland suburbs. In winter, American Robin flocks gather in wooded areas where trees or shrubs have good crops of berries. Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the American Robin Email Zip Phone (optional) By submitting my mobile number I agree to receive text messages from Audubon at 42248 about how I can help birds, including donation requests. Up to 4 msgs/month. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to stop receiving messages. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Behavior
Eggs
Usually 4, sometimes 3-7. Pale blue or "robin's-egg blue." Incubation by female, 12-14 days.
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.
Feeding Behavior
Does much foraging on the ground, running and pausing on open lawns; the American Robin apparently locates earthworms by sight (not, as had been suggested, by hearing them move underground). When not nesting, it usually forages in flocks.
Diet
Mostly insects, berries, and earthworms. In early summer, insects make up the majority of the American Robin's diet; it also feeds on many earthworms, snails, spiders, and 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 primarily on insects and earthworms.
Nesting
Male American Robins arrive before females on nesting grounds and defend territories by singing, sometimes by fighting. In the early stages of courtship, females may be actively pursued by one or several males. Nest: The Female does most of the nest building with some help from the male. Site on horizontal branch of tree or shrub, usually 5-25' above ground, rarely on ground or up to 70' high; also nests on ledges of houses, barns, bridges. Nest is a cup of grasses, twigs, debris, worked into a solid foundation of mud, lined with fine grasses and plant fibers.
Conservation
Conservation Status
Abundant and widespread. Because it is so familiar and occurs around places where humans live, the American Robin sometimes serves as an early warning of environmental problems, such as overuse of pesticides. Change in Abundance Over Time Drawing on more than a century of community science from the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this chart shows how this species’ relative abundance has shifted in recent decades. Explore more and get involved in the CBC.
Climate Map
Audubon’s scientists have used 140 million bird observations and sophisticated climate models to project how climate change will affect the range of the American Robin. Learn even more in Audubon’s Survival By Degrees project.
Climate Threats Facing the American Robin
Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.
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Murals, Art, and Culture
Artists throughout history and across the U.S. have captured this bird in murals, books, and museum hangings. See what they’ve done: ¡Atención!
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American Robin Turdus migratorius At a Glance Range & Identification Behavior Conservation Explore More Back to Top 
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