American Robin
Turdus migratorius • Birds
As our civilization moved westward planting trees and short grasses on ranches and home sites, the robin adapted to the welcome additions and made their summer homes near human dwellings in regions where they formerly flew over on migrations. Similar occurrences are happening in California areas where irrigation is transforming drier land.
American robins are known for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. Roosts can be huge, sometimes a quarter-million birds during winter. In summer, females sleep at their nests and males gather at roosts. As young robins become independent, they join the males. Female adults go to the roosts only after they have finished nesting. They can produce three successful broods in one year.
Robins eat different types of food depending on the time of day: more earthworms in the morning and more fruit later in the day. In fall and winter, robins eat honeysuckle berries exclusively and sometimes become intoxicated.
