The Remarkable Robin

by Amy C. Laundrie

A robin can eat 14 feet of worms every day. Remarkable, you say? Read on. These birds have a vast range. In the fall, they might fly 100 to 200 miles per day until they reach Florida or southern Texas. In the spring, robins migrate north so they will have less competition for food. They know just when to leave. They are able to judge the length of daylight and know when the land thaws to about 36 degrees. That is when a favorite treat, the earthworm, comes up to the soil’s surface.

Male robins are remarkable songbirds and will even sing at night. Both males and females have calls and alarm notes. The robins’ playlist includes cheerily cheerily cheerily and peek! tut tut tu when a predator is near. If it is during the nesting season, they make a high-pitched warning sound.

After pairing up, the male helps the female build a nest. Beginning in April, watch for them gathering twigs, grass, and mud. Follow them to their nest site. They are not shy around humans and build nests in gutters, under the eaves, and on decorative wreaths. Soon the nest is filled with eggs.

The new robins hatch after 11 to 14 days. Soon a fuzzy down appears. Both the male and female bring the nestlings insects or worms. By the time the youngsters open their eyes, they already know their parents by their voices. The young grow rapidly and soon get their flight feathers.

The parents continue to protect and feed the speckled young for a day or two more. Then the young robins are off on their own. Soon the mother is preparing for a new clutch.