American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Species Information, Range Map & Photos

The 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.

Click here to hear the song of an American Robin, recorded in Loup County, Nebraska.
Click here to hear the scolding call of an American Robin, recorded in Colorado County, Texas.

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 its range. However, the following species offer some identification challenges if a bird isn't seen well:

Varied Thrush - Another thrush species with a similar body structure, size, and coloring, the Varied Thrush is a rare winter visitor to South Dakota. While both have dark upperparts and orangish underparts, the pattern on an American Robin is much cleaner and simpler, with less variation in coloring on both the solid orange belly and on the solid dark body. In contrast, Varied Thrushes have orangish wing bars, an orange stripe behind the eye, and a black "necklace" that bisects the orange on the underparts.
Eastern Towhee - Another species with dark upperparts and extensive orange underneath. However, Eastern Towhees have a very different dark bill compared to the yellow bill on an American Robin, white wing bars, and orange that only covers the flanks, with a white underbelly instead of the all-orange breast and belly of a robin. Eastern Towhees are also noticeably smaller birds.
Spotted Towhee - Spotted Towhees are very similar in appearance to an Eastern Towhee, with a dark head and back, orange flanks and a white belly. The smaller size and white belly differentiate Spotted Towhees from American Robins.

Varied Thrush

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".

American Robin