American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Quick answer
The American robin is a common North American thrush known for its orange-red breast, cheerful song, and habit of hopping across lawns to pull up earthworms. Often seen as a sign of spring, it is widespread from Canada to Mexico and adapts well to gardens and parks. Robins usually live about 2 years in the wild, though some live much longer.
American Robin facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Turdus migratorius |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (worms, insects, fruit, berries) |
| Habitat | Lawns, gardens, woodlands, and parks |
| Lifespan | About 2 years in the wild, longer possible |
| Length | 23–28 cm (9–11 in) |
| Top speed | Up to 58 km/h (36 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Turdus |
Where it lives
Lawns, gardens, woodlands, and parks across nearly all of North America, from Alaska and Canada to Mexico.
A familiar garden bird
The American robin is one of the most familiar birds in North America, often seen running and pausing across lawns as it hunts. It has a gray-brown back, a warm orange-red breast, and a cheery, caroling song that is among the first heard at dawn. Its return to northern areas in late winter has long been treated as a sign that spring is near.
Finding worms
Robins are famous for hunting earthworms, tilting their heads as if listening but actually using sharp eyesight to spot a worm's movement in the grass. They also eat many insects, especially in spring and summer, switching to fruit and berries in autumn and winter, which lets them stay in many areas year-round rather than always migrating.
Nesting and eggs
Female robins build cup-shaped nests of grass and mud in trees, shrubs, and on building ledges, and lay clutches of distinctive sky-blue eggs. A pair may raise two or three broods in a single season. The young leave the nest before they can fly well and continue to be fed by their parents while they find their feet.
Habitat and range
American robins range across nearly all of North America, from Alaska and Canada to Mexico. Many northern birds migrate south for winter, while others remain wherever fruit is available. Highly adaptable, robins thrive in suburbs, city parks, farmland, and forests alike, making them one of the continent's most abundant birds.
Frequently asked questions about the American Robin
What do American robins eat?
Robins are omnivores that eat earthworms and insects, especially in spring and summer, and switch to fruit and berries in autumn and winter, which helps them survive in many areas year-round.
How do robins find worms?
Robins tilt their heads toward the ground as they hunt, but they rely mainly on sharp eyesight to detect the slight movement of a worm near the surface before pulling it out.
Are American robins a sign of spring?
Their return and song in late winter are traditionally seen as a sign of spring, though many robins actually stay through winter wherever they can find fruit and berries.
What color are robin eggs?
American robin eggs are a distinctive sky-blue, sometimes called robin's-egg blue. A female typically lays three to five eggs per clutch and may raise several broods each year.
How long do American robins live?
Most American robins live only about 2 years in the wild because of predators and harsh conditions, but some individuals survive much longer, with records of over 13 years.
Is the American robin related to the European robin?
No, not closely. The American robin is a thrush, while the smaller European robin is a different family. Early settlers named the American bird after the European robin because of its orange-red breast.
