American Robin

An American robin hops along the bright green grass of a small field, the fresh morning dew dampening its small feet. It stops to poke its yellow beak into the moist dirt. With a firm grasp, the robin tugs at a long brown earthworm, pulls it from the soil, and gobbles it up. The sun is just rising, but this early bird almost always gets the worm.

Common Name:: American robins
Scientific Name:: Turdus migratorius
Type:: Birds
Size:: Length: 10 inches

WHERE THEY LIVE

American robins live across North America and in parts of Central America. They can be found in open grassy areas, gardens, and woodlands. This animal is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE

American robins have orange or redish bellies, brown backs, yellow beaks, and black heads with white outlines around the eyes. Males and females look similar, but the male American robin sports brighter colors.

WHAT THEY EAT

They often eat earthworms and berries. The birds also snack on insects, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers.

WHAT EATS THEM

Snakes, hawks, and cats hunt adult American robins. Squirrels, blue jays, crows, and ravens eat American robin eggs and chicks.

HOW THEY BEHAVE

American robins are most active in the daytime. They spend much of their time hopping around the grass in search of earthworms to pluck from the soil. Before and after sunrise, the males chirp a song that sounds like someone saying “cheerily cheerup.” American robins are one of the first birds to lay eggs in the spring. Females lay between three and five bright blue eggs at a time. Baby robins learn to fly two weeks after they hatch.