Robin

Description

The Robin is one of the most popular birds in Britain, in every sense, it is a friendly bird that can be tamed to feed from the hand, and it is particularly fond of mealworms, we have a special mix (Robin and Tit food) containing all the seeds, nuts, and mealworms Robins love to eat. Robins generally prefer to cling on to the side of a bird feeder, (our window feeder is a great way to see Robins and Tits close up) but will also try to perch on a hanging bird feeder, often flapping their wings frantically to gain balance.

The Robin is the gardener’s friend. He will keep the bugs and caterpillars off, as well as keeping you company, when digging the veg plot, often within a foot or so of the spade. Robins are the only garden birds to sing throughout the winter, with both males and females holding winter territories.

Beside all that, the Robin is the Nations favourite; he appears on Christmas cards and fairy tales. Yet he is also one of the most fearsome of territorial defenders. Often fighting fellow Robins to the death over his territory.

Facts

Egg Size
20x15 mm

Maximum Recorded Age
8 years, 4 months

Typical Lifespan
2 years

Age at First Breeding
1 year

First clutches laid
Mid April

Fledging
14 days

Incubation
13 days

Clutch Size
4-5 eggs

Egg Weight
2.4 g

Number of broods
2 or 3

Habitat
Mainly Forest, woodland, towns and gardens

Weight
18g

Wingspan
21cm

Length
14 cm

Status in UK
Resident Breeder

Conservation Status UK
Green

Number in Britain
5.5 million

Quick Facts

Robins will fight to the death defending their territories from other Robins.
They can be individually identified by their unique breast pattern.
Robins are sometimes mistaken for Nightingales, as they occasionally sing at night.
Juveniles have a brown breast; it is not until they have their first moult that they grow red feathers.
Both sexes sing the same song and hold their own territories in winter.
Some pairs of Robins manage five broods a year, but usually they rise between two or three broods.
Robins are members of the Thrush family and so related to the Blackbird and Nightingale.
Given a choice of food, most Robins like mealworms the most, but will eat anything from fruit to spiders.
Robins will enter open-fronted bird boxes. They will not enter boxes with a round entrance hole
It has been shown the most frequent cause of death is being killed by a cat. Although the record for longevity is a ringed bird that lived until it was over eight.