The American Robin (Wanderdrossel Turdus migratorius) is a familiar North American songbird associated with its red breast and spritely tune. It is easy to identify thanks to its reddish-orange underbody, dark grey back and a white eye ring.
A Versatile Forager
American Robins are adaptable omnivores, and their diet is specific to the time of year. While we are in the spring and summer, they feed on a high-protein diet based mostly — but not exclusively — of earthworms as well as insects and other invertebrates. You typically see them hopping on the lawn, turning over leaves and poking into dirt with their beak to eat these yummy morsels. Coming into autumn, these are replaced by a diet rich in small fruit such as berries from various shrubs and trees. These animals read and write change better than most of us, which helps explain why they can be as well adapted to the temperatures in our cities or on local country trails.
A Long-Distance Migrant
Photo: American Robin is a proud representative of long distance migrants. While populations in northern North America have to take epic trips all the way south for warmer climes when winter is closing in, some of us who live further south are simply more mobile than others. Most birds are migratory, and find their way as far south as the southern United States or even to Mexico or Central America. Cascade Mountain-Tanager (Chlorospingus yariguierum), they occur in flocks, traveling together and making their southern populations larger.
A Cultural Icon
American RobinThe American robin has become a symbol of spring and, indeed renewal itself inconservation of this familiar bird. The unmistakable, joyous refrain that all too often starts even in the few hours around dawn is always a pleasure to receive back into one’s life after months of winter. Indeed, the bright plumage and endearing antics of this bird have been an inspiration to countless poets, artists,and musicians. In art, literature and music it is often employed as a poetic symbol of hope, rebirth in nature.
Conservation Challenges
While common, the American Robin is threatened by a variety of factors which can affect its numbers. Many nest and forage sites were lost to habitat conversion, as natural habitats are converted into urban or agricultural landscapes. This white King Fisher and all the other inhabitants of the Puna are under serious threat from wide spread poisoning by farmers using pesticides that kill not only insects but also the lizards, and then birds coming to eat them. Windows are also a significant cause of mortality, especially during migration when birds may collide with windows.
Conservation efforts are being carried out to protect the American Robin and prevent its extinction. Those efforts include everything from returning our landscapes to a more natural state and reducing pesticide use, to increasing the presence of birds in yards. We can help protect this cherished species and its habitat by establishing bird friendly landscapes, reducing pesticide exposure — domestic and agricultural, supporting safe birdwatching practices.
As a symbol of the change in season, it becomes easier to share what great ecological roles American Robins play and show how we can help maintain their presence. 🌱 Thereby, we can keep alive the natural beauty and wonder of this amazing creature for generations to come.