A Cheeky little Robin
(European)

In the UK when a robin comes visiting it will be a European one . There is nothing better that one visiting while weeding in the garden. Always on the look out for a tasty morsel that may be unearthed by the fork.

At times they come so close that I just have to stop and watch what they are doing. Hopping right beside me or landing on the weed bucket or spade.

Facts about a Robin

Family

Turdidae

Scientific or Latin Name

Erithacus rubella


Size

12.5 - 14.0 cm   which is 4.9 - 5.5 inches long.

Colour of feathers

Chests - Red or Orange

Faces are lined in a greyish colour.

Their back and wing feathers are brown and the ones underneath the body is creamy white.


Nest Material 

Moss, leaves, Grass with finer grass, hair and feathers for lining.

How many eggs usually laid

5 - 6

 can have 2 or 3 clutches during the year 

Egg Appearance

Speckled cream or white.

Incubation Time

13 days

Fledging Time

13 days

 can take another two weeks to become fully independent.

Food

Preferably Insects

but will also eat worms, spiders, berries and fruit

These little robins are delightful and in the winter, when they ruffle up their feathers to stay warm, can look very rounded and plump.

They weigh just 16 - 22 grams which is 0.56 - 0.78 of an ounce, so incredibly light.

Their wingspan is about 20 - 22 cm which is 8 - 8.5 inches.

In the winter and in early spring when they are getting their territory defined, they can be very vicious towards other birds. The dunnocks around my bird table get a short visit if the robin is around. He chases them off but tolerates the sparrows and blackbirds.

The male robin stays in its territory all year while the female moves away for a while for feeding during the winter.

My garden has a large mature hedge that the robin nests in but they are not fussy and will pick anything that give them shelter.

They prefer bird boxes that have a wide opening at the top rather than going into one with a hole and one that is about 2 metres or 6 feet from the ground. They have also been known to nest in teapots, watering can, plant pots and other things they can find.

One of the most beautiful sounds is their song, although being one of the first to start the dawn chorus many may not think so.

Both birds sing early in the morning and can still be heard into the evening.

Just love being in the garden when they are attracting their mates in the spring with their sometimes very loud tweeting,

Enjoy watching out for your robins.