Thrushes (Turdidae)
American Robin
Turdus migratorius. Earthworms and insects in spring and summer; fruit in fall and winter.
Thrushes (Turdidae)American RobinTurdus migratorius
- Scientific name
- Turdus migratorius
- Length
- 7.9–11 in
- Weight
- 2.7–3 oz
- Nest
- Mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Brick-orange breast and dark grey back
- Yellow bill and broken white eye-ring
- Juveniles spotted on the breast
Voice
Rich caroling 'cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio' at dawn.
Diet and feeding
Earthworms and insects in spring and summer; fruit in fall and winter.
American Robins by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Alberta | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| California | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–July |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | May–July |
Frequently asked
What do American eat?
Earthworms and insects in spring and summer; fruit in fall and winter. At feeders: mealworms, chopped apple and berries, suet nuggets.
How big is a American Robin?
7.9–11 in long and 2.7–3 oz.
Do American use birdhouses?
No. Mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves.
Sources
- American Robin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Robin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Robin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.