Photo: David Ratledge / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Birb mood: the lawn detective
The cheerful, worm-tugging thrush whose dawn song is the unofficial alarm clock of North American spring.
Also known as: North American Robin, Robin Redbreast (US sense)
What's in a name? The genus Turdus is simply Latin for "thrush"; migratorius nods to the species' seasonal wandering. Early colonists named it "robin" out of homesick affection for the unrelated European Robin.
Found across 19 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a member of the Turdidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and North America. Adults measure 23–28 cm and weigh 77 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Turdidae Thrushes
- Genus Turdus
- Species migratorius
Quick facts
- Size
- 23–28 cm
- Weight
- 77 g
- Wingspan
- 31–41 cm
- Lifespan
- 2 years typical in the wild; up to 14 recorded
- Clutch size
- 3–5 eggs (famously "robin's-egg blue")
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Turdidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Suburban Gardens, Woodland
How to identify
Look for the warm orange breast, dark head, white crescents above and below the eye, and a yellow bill. The upright stance and bouncing run across open grass are giveaways even at a distance.
Male vs female
Males are richer and darker — blackish head, deep orange breast. Females are paler and greyer, especially on the head.
Juvenile appearance
Juveniles are heavily spotted below, a classic thrush trait, with a paler, scaly-looking back.
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
A two-season eater: earthworms, beetles and other invertebrates hunted by sight on lawns through spring and summer, switching to fruit and berries — sumac, holly, juniper — through autumn and winter.
Behaviour
Territorial and conspicuous when nesting, but highly social afterwards, roosting in flocks that can number in the thousands. That classic head-tilt is the bird watching for movement, not listening for worms.
Breeding
The female builds a sturdy mud-and-grass cup, often on a ledge or branch fork, and incubates alone for about two weeks. Pairs frequently raise multiple broods between April and July.
Migration
Northern populations migrate; many southern birds stay put. Winter flocks wander widely in search of fruit, so a "first robin of spring" is as much about behaviour as arrival.
Population trend: Stable
Few birds are as woven into daily life as the American Robin. With its slate-grey back, brick-orange breast and confident hop-and-cock posture on the lawn, it is the bird most North Americans picture first — and one of the easiest to fall for.Robins are generalists in the best sense: equally at home on a suburban lawn, a city park, or a mountain forest clearing. They flood the morning with a rich, caroling song of rising and falling phrases, raise two or even three broods a season, and gather into surprisingly large, nomadic flocks once the breeding season ends.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
Why do robins pull at the lawn?
They are hunting earthworms and grubs by sight. The head-tilt lets each eye focus on small surface movements.
Are robins a sign of spring?
Partly. Many robins overwinter in flocks; what changes in spring is that they spread out, sing and become far more visible.
Can I feed robins?
They rarely take seed, but mealworms, suet crumbles and fruit on a ground tray are welcomed, especially in hard weather.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
From the flock
Photos submitted by the Birbs community.
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Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
How to Attract American Robin to Your Yard
The honest, data-backed way to attract American Robin to your yard — the feeders and food they actually use (fruit), nesting help, and habitat that brings them in.