5 facts about robins—spring's unofficial mascot
Here are some interesting facts about spring's unofficial mascot.
Spring is almost here. Be sure to check out our official spring forecast and then take a look outside, because you're probably already seeing, and hearing, signs of the season ahead. You've probably noticed an uptick in birds chirping and, if you haven't seen a robin yet, one will surely be making an appearance in your neck of the woods soon.
Here are some facts about these springtime birds.
1. 'Winter robins' are a thing
While we may associate robins with spring, it turns out some of them don't mind the snow.
"Over the past few decades, more and more robins are adopting a non-migratory strategy, and they're migrating less than 100 kilometres," Kerrie Wilcox of Birds Canada told The Weather Network in an interview in 2023.
Photo submitted to The Weather Network by Raymond Barlow.
2. Robins flock together (sometimes)
Robins change their behaviour in the winter. The typically territorial birds will become more social, flocking together to make it easier to find food and spot predators.
"In winter, flocks of robins spend the night together," Kerrie says.
"Sometimes they can be in flocks of a quarter million, in areas like Florida and Texas."
3. Egg colour matters
Photo submitted to The Weather Network by Amanda Duncan.
Robins are known for their beautiful eggs, which are bright blue due to a pigment called biliverdin, which is transferred to the eggshell when females lay their eggs.
Male robins pay close attention to the colour of the eggs their mate lays.
A vibrant colour indicates the egg is healthy and likely has a healthy chick inside.
Studies show males will expend more energy protecting and tending to a nest with healthier-looking eggs.
Photo submitted to The Weather Network by Ed Fu.
4. Nests take a lot of work
Robin's nests are made out of mud, grass, twigs, and anything else the birds can get their beaks on, including pieces of cloth and paper. It takes between two to six days to construct a nest. During that time, a female can make up to 180 trips a day, transporting building materials.
5. There are American and European robins
A European robin. (Getty Images Signature/Canva)
Robins are common in Canada and Europe, but the robins that live across the pond are different from the ones we see in North America.
In North America, we have the American robin, and in Europe they have the ... you guessed it ... European robin.
They're similar in colour, but that's about it.
The American robin is a thrush and has social tendencies during winter.
Meanwhile, the European robin is a flycatcher, and it remains solitary year-round.
Here's a bonus fact: You can tell male and female robins apart. Male American robins have dark heads. Their backs and heads are redder, while female colours are more subdued and brown.
Header image: Cheryl Santa Maria for The Weather Network/Canva