Return to Main Page   Dakota Birder Blog    

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Length: 10 inches Wingspan: 15 inches Seasonality: Summer / Migrant
ID Keys: Distinctive, with brick red chest, dark upperparts, white around eyes, yellow bill. 

American Robin - Turdus migratoriusThe American Robin is a very common and familiar bird across the state.  Well adapted to living with humans, they will readily nest and forage near dwellings.  They are often seen in suburban settings, running across lawns as they forage. Their song is also one of the best known bird songs in much of North America, a warbling song that is often given very early in the morning.

Habitat:

Residential areas, parks, farmland, forest edges and clearings, and other open or semi-open habitats. American Robins often stay near berry sources when wintering.

Diet:

Mostly fruit and berries, insects, and earthworms. 

Behavior:

Primarily forages on the ground, where earthworms are a favorite item.  Will also forage in trees and shrubs for berries.  During the winter months, they tend to become more concentrated and localized, especially in the northern part of their range.

Nesting:

Late April through July.  The nest of an American Robin is a cup of grasses, sticks, and weeds, with mud used to cement the nest together.  The female usually lays 3 to 5 eggs, and the female alone incubates them.  When the eggs hatch, both parents help to feed the young.  The young fledge after 2 weeks or more.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click to access an interactive eBird map of American Robin sightings

Song:

The song of an American Robin is a series of sweet whistled phrases. Calls are short sharp notes, sometimes given in rapid succession.

Migration:

Migratory, but gathers in large flocks and can be found in scattered locations in the winter.  Wide variation in numbers from winter to winter and from location to location. In South Dakota, varying numbers overwinter in the state, with more found in the southern part of South Dakota. From a personal observation, it does seem more and more are attempting to overwinter in southeastern South Dakota with each passing year.

Similar Species:

 Not many species could potentially be confused with an American Robin in South Dakota (and much of their range). However, the following species offer some identification challenges if a bird isn't seen well:

Varied Thrush - Ixoreus naevius Eastern Towhee 16 - Pipilo erythrophthalmus Eastern Towhee 8 - Pipilo erythrophthalmus Spotted Towhee 5 - Pipilo maculatus
Varied Thrush Eastern Towhee Eastern Towhee Spotted Towhee

Feeders:

Breadcrumbs.  Note that I personally have had Robins feed on shelled sunflower kernels that had fallen on the ground below a hanging feeder, and I've also had them occasionally feed on fallen (shelled) peanuts. They'll feed on suet as well if they can access it, particularly in colder weather. I have an oriole feeder with cups for jelly and spikes for orange halves, and American Robins will sometimes feed on both of those as well.

Birdhouses:

Will use nesting shelves.  Also will nest on semi-protected areas of buildings.

Conservation Status:

Numbers are stable or possibly increasing, they are found across a very wide geographic area, and they are very common in many parts of their range.  The IUCN lists the American Robin as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information:

Photo Information:

June 21st, 2001 -- Brandon, Minnehaha County -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos:

Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution American Robin photos.

Audio File Credits:

Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view
American Robin - Range Map
South Dakota Status: Common summer breeding resident.  Numbers can vary greatly from year-to-year and between locations in the winter, from rare to locally common.

American Robin Photos

American Robin 1 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 2 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 3 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 4 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 5 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 6 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 7 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 8 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 9 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 9 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 11 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 12 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 13 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 14 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 15 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 16 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 17 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 18 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 19 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 21 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 22  - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 23 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 23 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 24 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 25 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 26 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 27 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 28 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 29 - Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin 30 - Turdus migratorius