New Hampshire · Year-round resident

American Robins in New Hampshire

When American are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.

Thrushes (Turdidae)American RobinTurdus migratorius
Status in New Hampshire
Year-round resident
Nesting window
May–July
Broods
2–3 per season
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–6a

When to expect American in New Hampshire

American Robins live in New Hampshire all year. Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward holly, juniper, sumac and crabapple fruit.

Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.

Nesting in New Hampshire

Across New Hampshire, American typically nest from May–July. Nest site: mud-lined cup on a branch fork or ledge; uses open-front nest shelves. Females lay 3–5 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 13 days.

Mild summers; nesting starts late May.

  • American Robins don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New Hampshire plants that attract American

Of the regional native plants we track for New Hampshire, these 8 provide food or cover American use:

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina · Shrub

Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.

Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

White oak
Quercus alba · Tree

Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry
Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Feeding American through the New Hampshire year

Robins rarely eat seed. They come for water, lawn worms and winter fruit; many stay north all winter in flocks.

  • Best foods: Mealworms, Chopped apple and berries, Suet nuggets.
  • In New Hampshire's winter: Long, snowy winters; boreal species visit feeders in irruption years.

Full diet breakdown for American · Best feeder for American

Frequently asked

Are American in New Hampshire year-round?

Yes. American Robins are year-round residents in New Hampshire.

When do American nest in New Hampshire?

Nesting in New Hampshire typically runs May–July, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 3–5 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.

What native plants attract American in New Hampshire?

Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for American.

American Robins in other regions

Other backyard birds in New Hampshire

Sources

  1. American Robin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. American Robin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. American Robin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

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.