H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

The bird featured on my post today is the  American Robin  also known as the Robin, is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is named after the European Robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the flycatcher family. The American Robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering from southern Canada to central Mexico and along the Pacific Coast. It is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The American Robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. Its diet consists of invertebrates (such as beetle grubs, earthworms, and caterpillars), fruits and berries. It is one of the earliest bird species to lay eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. It is among the first birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of several discrete units that are repeated.

One day while I was observing a group of robins that landed in my backyard I saw and learned how well organized they are, they readily formed a line a couple of feet apart from each other and they proceeded to comb the place and picking grubs, worms, grasshoppers etc. I was genuinely amazed. They are smart birds no doubt.

Next, I have a few photos of these amazing birds. Enjoy!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101