The British Robin is a Stunning Bird
The British Robin can be seen all year round in gardens, parks and hedgerows, in both the countryside and urban areas.
To spot one look out for a bright red breast and listen out for its song. Unlike other birds, robins sing throughout the year, apart from midsummer when they’re moulting. The robin is one of the first birds to start singing in the dawn chorus and one of the last to stop singing in the evening.
The British robin might seem cute, but it is actually a highly territorial bird and will aggressively defend its domain against others. These much-loved birds are on the rise as the UK robin population continues to increase.
- Alternative common name: British robin
- Scientific name: Erithacus rubecula
- Length: 14cm
- Wingspan: 20-22cm
- Weight: 14-21g
- Average lifespan: 2 years
- UK population: 6,700,000 territories
- UK conservation status: green list, protected
- IUCN Red List category: least concernThe British robin is a small, plump bird. Its black beak is short and thin.British Robin, Males and females look identical, sporting a brown back, white belly and red breast, face and cheeks. In contrast, juveniles are speckled gold and brown, only developing the distinctive red plumage in adulthood.A robin’s diet consists of seeds, fruits, insects, worms and other invertebrates. It will also visit garden bird tables and feeders to feed on scraps and mealworms.The female typically lays four to six eggs, which she incubates for 13 days. Once chicks hatch, the female immediately removes the eggshells from the nest.Both parents look after the nestlings, which are dependent on them for food and warmth. The chicks fledge at 14 days but continue to be cared for, predominantly by the male, for a further three weeks.British Robins have at least two broods a year, with nestlings around as late as the end of July
