Robin - Erithacus rubecula

The Robin is one of the best known and well loved of Britain's birds, it is easily recognised by its red breast and melodious song - it is one of the few birds that can be heard singing throughout the winter due to the importance of holding territories during the winter.

Habitat

It's a common visitor to gardens and can be fairly tame. Robins will often come into the garden when it's being dug or mown to hunt for insects on which it feeds and has even been known to closely follow gardeners to see what gets turned up! It also can be found in woodlands and parks, as it prefers areas with both dense vegetation and open areas where it can find insects, seeds and soft fruits which make up the majority of its diet.

Description

The male and female are similar in appearance with the red breast and brown wings and head. The red breast is not used for attracting a mate, but for territory defence only. A patch of red can trigger territorial behaviour in Robins and they have been known to continuously attack stuffed robins!

Biology

Both males and females are fiercely territorial throughout the year and defend their own territories by singing from prominent perches, but during the nesting season the male allows the female into his territory.

The female builds the nests which are mainly made from leaves and moss and are normally in well concealed places such as in ivy covered walls, but Robins are well known for nesting in odd places including flower pots, coat pockets, in sheds and even under the bonnets of rarely used cars!

The eggs hatch April-May time and the adults can have up to three broods a year. The young are very different in appearance; they do not have the red breast of their parents and are mottled brown in colour with tufty feathers on the head.

Conservation

Robins are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 that makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. It is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the eggs, young or nest of a Robin while it is being built or in use.