Fun American Robin Facts For Kids
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Are you fond of the rufous-backed robin? If yes, then you should definitely have a look at the American robin (Turdus migratorius). This songbird is mainly found in North America, especially in Canada and the US.
It can live as far as Alaska and can even sustain cold weather. However, some birds take part in migration and move to southern parts of the world after summer. American robins are commonly known for greeting and welcoming spring because of their cheerful song.
When it comes to the look of American robins, this bird is known for its iconic orange breast and gray plumage. The males tend to be brighter than the females, while the young birds usually have gray-brown spots on their chests.
Another special thing about robins is the blue eggs that they lay during the breeding and nesting season between the spring and summer months. Its diet consists of fruit, berries, and insects, and you can often find robins foraging on the ground.
Find these birds interesting? Keep reading to learn more American robin facts. Also, check out our articles about the Nilgiri blue robin and white headed robin-chat to know about other bird species.
American Robin Interesting Facts
What type of animal is an American robin?
American robins are a species of robins that are widely found in North America.
What class of animal does an American robin belong to?
The American robin belongs to the class Aves and to the family Turdidae. It is classified as a thrush, so you may find it familiar to varied thrushes.
How many American robins are there in the world?
American robins have a short lifespan and whole populations of this bird are changed every two to three years. We aren't able to put an exact number to the size of this species. However, some sources state the number to be around 370,000,000 individuals.
Where does an American robin live?
The American robin is endemic to the Nearctic region, and it is extensively found all over North America. In the winter months, these birds may migrate to Guatemala.
What is an American robin's habitat?
American robins are common in open areas like woodlands, gardens, orchards, lawns, as well as in fields where they can find a plentiful diet. These North American birds are also found in urban and suburban areas.
Who does the American robin live with?
As these are social birds, you can often catch them in flocks. Moreover, during the winter period, you can see large flocks of robins getting ready to migrate to warmer places. At night, flocks of this bird can usually be found in secluded swamps or marshes where the populations perch on trees.
How long does an American robin live?
Usually in the wild, American robins live for two years. Some lucky birds have managed to live to 14 years.
How do they reproduce?
After the winter is over, most robins return to their native place for breeding. During this breeding season, the birds form pairs to take care of the eggs and chicks. Robin parents are known for being quite territorial about their nests. Usually, the breeding season is between April and July, and these birds breed all over North America.
Most robins lay three to five eggs, but some females can even have multiple clutches in a single breeding season. Females are the ones involved in nest building for eggs and these nests are usually on the ground or on trees. It takes 14 days for the blue eggs to hatch into young birds.
What is their conservation status?
In the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the American robin is currently classified under the status of Least Concern.
American Robin Fun Facts
What does the American robin look like?
When it comes to the American robin, most of us know about this species because of its common representation. The most iconic thing about it is the orange breast that is brighter in the male bird.
Other than that, the wings and back are usually covered in gray feathers, while the face is slightly darker than the rest of its body.
The orange of the breast is also mixed with a bit of white which is more evident in the adult females and young birds. These birds have a yellow bill with a brown or black tip, and the feet are also gray.
The juveniles look strikingly different from the adult birds, as the chest of young birds is often covered in black or brown spots.
How cute are they?
These birds are extremely cute because of their orange and gray plumage. Also, the male American robin looks even more attractive during the winter months. The rufous-backed robin is another cute bird!
How do they communicate?
As songbirds, one of the most important things about American robins is their call. You can hear male robins sing during the winter and early spring when the females are usually away from the family.
These birds usually perch on top of tall trees and let out their song, mostly during the early hours of the day. However, you can still hear chirping throughout the day.
Robins also use chirping as a warning sound against predators. American robins are often associated with the cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up caroling song.
How big is an American robin?
The average height range of adult American robins is around 7.9-11 in (20-28 cm). In comparison to these North American birds, European robins have an average body length of 5-5.5 in (12-13.9 cm), making them smaller than the American robin species.
How fast can an American robin fly?
The average flying range of these North American birds is said to be between 20-36 mph (32-58 kph). These robins are known for being swift fliers, and the flying speed may increase when the bird is on the hunt for food during fall and winter.
How much does an American robin weigh?
The average weight range of the American robin is around 2.7-3 oz (77-85 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
A female robin is called a hen, while a male robin is just known as a robin.
What would you call a baby American robin?
Like other bird species, a baby American robin is called a chick.
What do they eat?
Robins are omnivorous in nature and the bird can feed on a mix of things. Wild berries, fruits, and earthworms top the food list.
However, beetle grubs, grasshoppers, and caterpillars are also commonly eaten. These birds can eat whatever is available at the moment and these thrushes are often seen foraging on the ground. Robins usually eat fruits and berries more than insects.
Are they dangerous?
Robins are territorial birds and are quite serious about protecting themselves from predators, so they may end up behaving aggressively. Even though a robin wouldn't bite a human, it can still peck you if it senses danger. It's always better to stay out of range from unknown birds.
Would they make a good pet?
No, the American robin is a small to a medium-sized bird that isn't really a good pet. However, if you like this species, make sure to leave some food in the backyard or lawn to have a glimpse at it.
Did you know...
There are seven subspecies of American robins that are spread all over North America, and some like the Saint Lucas robin have managed to reach Baja California.
The American robin is a true thrush and it is said to be one of the most commonly found thrushes of North America.
Are American robins friendly?
Yes, American robins are common in human neighborhoods and are quite friendly to these fellow neighbors. You will also find robins pecking through lawns and other grass beds in search of earthworms. Moreover, even wild robins are quite friendly towards other mammals due to their inherent curiosity.
What do female robins look like?
One of the ways to tell apart female robins from the males is to check the plumage. Female robins usually have a paler head compared to the dark gray of the males.
Moreover, even the orange on its breast can be paler than that of fellow males. However, it can be a bit hard to tell apart the females from the juveniles as both look strikingly similar.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our princess parrot facts and channel-billed toucan facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable American robin coloring pages.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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With a bachelor's degree in Economics from Krea University, Gowri is a highly skilled data analyst and an expert in regression and causation modeling. Her interests in economic trends, finance, and investment research complement her professional expertise. In addition to her professional pursuits, Gowri enjoys swimming, running, and playing the drums, and she is also a talented tutor.
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