Photos
Click for larger versions
 American Robin, Likely Female Photo taken by Pete Brown on January 1, 2005 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.
 American Robin, Likely Female Photo taken by Pete Brown on January 1, 2005 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.
 American Robin, Likely Male Mmm. worms! Photo taken by Pete Brown on January 1, 2005 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.
 American Robin, Likely Female Photo taken by Pete Brown on January 1, 2005 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.
 A Flock of Robins and Juncos Photo taken by Pete Brown on January 1, 2005 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom. |
Birding Information
While often called "the first sign of spring", the American Robin is visible
year-round in some areas, including mine. You just have to be up early in the
morning to see them out and about.
General Information
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Length: 10 inches
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Wingspan 14-16 inches
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Family: Turdidae
Identification (Male)
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Blackish head and tail
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Brick red breast (looks more orangish/brownish to me)
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Broken white eye ring
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Yellow bill
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White throat with black striping
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Dark brownish gray upperparts
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White outer tail corners
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While lower belly and undertail coverts
Identification (Female)
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Dark brownish gray head
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Dark brownish gray upperparts
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Yellow bill, sometimes darker than male
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Chestnut-orange breast
Identification and size information from Birds of North America Eastern Region
by Fred J. Alsop III, 2001 DK Publishing. I highly recommend this book as
there is a lot more information than I present here.
I find it difficult to distinguish between the males and females of the species
except in very good lighting. That is why I have "likely male" and "likely
female" on the photos here.
The robins hunch over and scoot quickly across the yard, stop, stand erect and
then tilt their head to look for worms. Contrary to popular belief, they are
not listening for the worms, but they are actually using their good eyesight to
see the worms in the grass.
Additional References
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