The American robin is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider 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 Old World flycatcher family. The American robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering from southern Canada to central Mexico and along the Pacific coast.
Region
North America
Typical Environment
Found from Alaska and Canada across the United States into parts of Mexico, the American robin occupies a wide range of habitats. It thrives in woodlands, forest edges, parks, gardens, and suburban lawns, readily adapting to human-modified landscapes. Breeding occurs broadly across temperate North America, with many birds moving southward or to lower elevations in winter. During colder months, it forms large flocks that concentrate where fruiting trees and shrubs are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often considered a harbinger of spring, the American robin is one of North America’s most familiar backyard birds. Its bright blue eggs are iconic, and it frequently nests near human habitation. Robins forage with a characteristic run-and-stop pattern, cocking their heads to locate earthworms by sight and sound.
The most distinctive subspecies is the very pale T. m. confinis, isolated in the Sierra de la Laguna mountains of southern Baja California Sur in Mexico.
With nest-making materials
An adult while making an alarm call
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Robins defend territories vigorously during the breeding season, with pairs nesting in trees, shrubs, or on human structures. Clutches typically contain 3–5 pale blue eggs, and multiple broods can occur in one season. Outside the breeding period, they often form sizable flocks, especially at fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A rich, musical series of clear, whistled phrases often glossed as 'cheerily, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up.' Calls include a sharp 'tut-tut' alarm and thin high 'seep' notes, with dawn chorus particularly strong in spring.
