10 Surprising Facts
About Robins and Their Babies

By Richard Worden

Robins are one of the most commonly found birds in North American backyards, and their cheerful song is a sign of spring. But there's a lot you might not know about these little birds. Here are 10 surprising facts about robins and their babies.

Surprisingly, Robins are the first singers to start dawn, can build their nests almost anywhere, and symbolize Britain's 'Bird of Christmas.' Also, a young robin doesn't bear the signatory ‘orange breast', whereas the American robins originally belong to the 'thrush' family.

Robins' cheerful springtime songs are a sure sign of warmer weather to come. But there's a lot more to these little birds than meets the eye. This article will explore some amazing facts about robins and their babies.

1. Juvenile Robins Are Actually Speckled Brown

Robins are named for their reddish-brown plumage, which is more pronounced in males than females. The name came from Old English and was first recorded in the 13th century.

In reality, baby robins are speckled brown without any reddishness. It isn't until they molt their downy baby feathers and grow their adult plumage that they develop the trademark 'orange breast.'

Unlike many other birds, male and female robins look alike. You can tell them apart by their plumage and behavior, though - males are more aggressive and territorial, bearing a brighter orange plumage. In comparison, females are shyer and have less colorful plumage.

2. 75% of Robins Die Before the Age of One

Nearly 75 percent of robins die before reaching the age of one. That's a shocking statistic, but there's more to the story. Robins can live up to 14 years in the wild if they survive the first year of life.

Researchers found that most robin deaths are due to predation and disease. Of the robins that were studied, only about 5 percent died of old age. The rest succumbed to predators or illnesses when they were young.

This is likely because robins are not very good at hiding from predators and are often exposed to diseases while foraging for food. Additionally, baby robins have a high mortality rate because they are easy prey for cats, snakes, and other animals.

Robins that survive the first year learn crucial survival skills that allow them to live for several years (depending on the environment).

3. Baby Robins Are Fed by Both Parents After Incubation

Baby robins are born with no feathers and their eyes closed. It takes about two weeks for their eyes to open and their feathers to grow. During this time, they are cared for by their parents. 

Among the most interesting facts about robins and their babies is that male and female take turns sitting on the eggs to incubate them. Baby robins need to be fed every five to ten minutes on a regular basis. So once they hatch, both parents also take turns feeding the chicks. 

After about two weeks, the chicks are ready to fledge or leave the nest. At this point, they'll start to eat on their own and will no longer be dependent on their parents for food. 

The complete growth process of a baby robin to an adult takes about two years.

4. The Robin Is Britain's Bird of Christmas

The Robin is called 'Britain's Bird of Christmas' for a number of reasons. 

For one, the Robin is associated with Christmas because of its red breast. In Victorian times, postmen were named 'robins' because they delivered the festival cards in red coats symbolizing Robin's 'red breast.' 

Unfortunately, the English dictionary did not contain the word 'orange' then as a noun symbolizing color, which is the actual color of Robin's breast.

Another reason goes back to the mythological story of a robin resting on the shoulders of Jesus on the cross, singing of his suffering. The red color on Robin's breast is believed to come from Jesus' blood that tainted that little birdie.

Finally, the Robin has long been associated with winter because it's one of the few birds that actually sings more in winter than in summer. The melodious sound of a robin singing on a cold winter's day is something that many people associate with Christmas time. 

5. Robins Are One of the Earliest Singers To Start the Dawn

Speaking of singing, Robins are one of the earliest singers to start the dawn. They can be heard in late winter and early spring before most other birds have begun to sing. This is because they are in a hurry to build up their nestlings' fat reserves for the long, hot summer days. 

They are often mistaken as nightingales singing in the morning, but the songs of robins are loud and distinct.

6. Robin Skins Were Used As Ladies' Hat Accessories

Robins are not only a sign of spring but also a reminder of a bygone era when their skins were used to adorn ladies' hats.

The Victorian period is famous for increasing fashion sense in ladies when hats were becoming popular day by day and were often adorned with ostrich feathers and robin skins.

While it may seem cruel today, we still see robins as a sign of spring and hope, and thankfully their skins are no longer used for fashion accessories.

7. Robins Are Intoxicated by Honeysuckle Berries

Robins are well known for their love of earthworms, but did you know that these little birds also enjoy fruits and berries? That's right, and they become tipsy while eating honeysuckle berries.

In fact, during the winter months, when insects are scarce, robins may eat up to 50 percent fruit. This diet helps keep them healthy and provides them with the nutrients they need to survive the cold months.

Robins typically eat between 10-15% of their body weight in fruits and berries each day. As Honeysuckle berries contain ethanol, it causes intoxication in robins as soon as they eat them. When a little drunk, robins often become more aggressive and territorial....burp!

8. Robins Are Famous for Nesting in Odd Places

Robins are one of the most widespread birds in North America. They are also well-known for their ability to nest in a variety of different habitats, including some rather unusual places.

Robins typically build their nests in trees or shrubs, but they will also nest on the ground, in crevices, on top of buildings, or even in mailboxes. 

Here you can see how a robin is working tirelessly in the rain
to build a nest on top of a car tire:

The female Robin usually builds the nest by herself, using twigs, grasses, and all sorts of materials, even mud.

9. American Robins Are Not 'Robins' but 'Thrush'

American Robins do not originally belong to the 'robins' family, but rather a type of thrush. 

The name "robin" is derived from their reddish-orange breast, reminiscent of an English Robin. It was named so by the early colonial settlers who were familiar with the English Robins. American Robins are actually more closely related to Bluebirds and Warblers than they are to English Robins. 

These beautiful birds are found throughout North America and are typically migratory in nature. They are very common to the east of the Rocky Mountains but can be seen as far west as California and Nevada.

10. American Robins Can Fly at Speeds of 20–35 Mph

Did you know that American robins can fly at speeds of up to 20-35 miles (30-55 km) per hour? That's fast! 

American Robins are migratory birds, which means they fly south to warmer climates in winter and return north in spring. They are primarily at their fastest when they are migrating.

Facts About Robins and Their Babies...
Final Thoughts

As you can see, there's more to this amazing bird than just good looks!

This bird not only heralds the oncoming of Spring with their appearance and cheerful song, they also enlighten us to the fact that the bird world is more complex than we thought if we just do a bit of investigating.

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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