Turdus migratorius

(American Robin)

Conservation Status

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Population Analysis

For the 56,576 species in the Class Aves (Birds), we average 371.87 observations each in our database; for the American Robin, we have 2,657 observations. Compared to other species in this Class, this species is somewhat common.
A two-sample t-test can be used to determine whether the trend in observations of the American Robin is the same as the trend in observations of Aves. Is this species just as common, as a proportion of all observations, as it once was? The answer is no, changes in observation rate of this species significantly differ from changes in observation rate of its Class. (t=23.502, p<0.001)
How do observation rates of the American Robin differ from those of Aves? To answer this, we examined the percentage of observerations for Aves that were observations of the American Robin each year. We then correlated this percentage with observation year. If observations of the American Robin are becoming more common relative to other species of Aves, the correlation should be positive, but if it is becoming less common, the correlation should be negative. In fact, the correlation is negative (r=-.53), with a negative slope (m = -.002), suggesting that the American Robin may be in decline relative to other species of Aves. This correlation is statistically significant. (F = 83.6, p<.05)
The scatter chart to the right shows the percentage of all observations for Aves each year that were observations of the American Robin.

Status

The American Robin is common in appropriate habitat.

Taxonomy

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Domain: Eukaryota Whittaker & Margulis,1978 - eukaryotes
- Kingdom: Animalia Linnaeus, 1758 - Linnaeus, 1758 - animals
  - Subkingdom: Bilateria (Hatschek, 1888) Cavalier-Smith, 1983 - (Hatschek, 1888) Cavalier-Smith, 1983 - bilaterians
    - Branch: Deuterostomia Grobben, 1908 - Deuterostomes
      - Infrakingdom: Chordonia (Haeckel, 1874) Cavalier-Smith, 1998
        Phylum: Chordata Bateson, 1885 - Chordates
        Subphylum: Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812 - Vertebrates
        Infraphylum: Gnathostomata auct. - Jawed Vertebrates
        Superclass: Tetrapoda Goodrich, 1930 - Tetrapods
        Class: Aves Linnaeus, 1758 - Birds
        Subclass: Neornithes Gadow, 1893
        Infraclass: Neoaves
        Superorder: Passerimorphae
        Order: Passeriformes Linnaeus, 1758 - Perching Birds
        Suborder: Passeri
        Superfamily: Muscicapoidea
        Family: Muscicapidae - Old World Flycatchers
        Subfamily: Turdinae
        Tribe: Cleomeae
        Genus: Turdus Linnaeus, 1758 - Robins
        Specific name: migratorius Linnaeus, 1766
        Scientific name: Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766

Notes:

Name Status: Accepted Name. Latest taxonomic scrutiny: 17-Oct-2001

Physical Description

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Family Muscicapidae:

A large Family of small passerine insectivores with weak songs and harsh calls. Nests are often cups in trees and hedges.

Adult Female:

Head: dark brownish gray Bill: yellow Body: Breast: chestnut orange Upperparts: dark brownish gray.

Adult Male:

Head: blackish Face: Eye Ring: broken, white Bill: yellow Neck: Throat: white with black stripes Body: Lower Belly: white Upper Belly: brick red Breast: brick red Upperparts: dark brownish gray Tail: black with white outer corners Undertail Coverts: white.

Color:

Well-known for its brick-red breast. Brown above with a dark head and a noticeable white eye-ring. The throat is mottled, and the belly is white. Females and young birds have a somewhat lighter grayish-brown breast and head, and young birds have a speckled, but still slightly reddish breast.

Size/Age/Growth:

About 10 inches long, with a wingspan of 14 to 16 inches. Adults weigh about 2.7 ounces.

Images:

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Photographer: Marcus G. Martin Copyright: © Marcus G. Martin Permissions for Use: see here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 104177

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Photographer: Lee Karney Credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Source: http://images.fws.gov/ Permissions for Use: See here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 71870

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Durham Co., NC 19 Jan 2006 Photographer: Jeffrey S. Pippen Date Taken: November 19, 2005 Copyright: © 2005 Jeffrey S. Pippen Source: web site ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 289412

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Egg(s) Photographer: Terry Spivey
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Terry Spivey. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 173273

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Photographer: David Stang Date Taken: February 05, 2007
Location Taken: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Copyright: © 2007 David Stang ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 210566

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Photographer: Gary Kramer Credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Source: http://images.fws.gov/ Permissions for Use: See here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 73904

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Adult(s) Photographer: Charles T. Bryson
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Charles T. Bryson. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 187496

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius feeding nestlings Photographer: Steven Katovich
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Steven Katovich. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 170389

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Young and egg in nest Photographer: Terry Spivey
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Terry Spivey. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 173261

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Adult ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 67699

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Nice of this robin to pose by his namesake yard art! Durham Co., NC 19 Jan 2006 Durham Co., NC 19 Jan 2006 Photographer: Jeffrey S. Pippen Date Taken: November 19, 2005 Copyright: © 2005 Jeffrey S. Pippen Source: web site ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 289411

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Adult(s) Photographer: Charles T. Bryson Copyright: © Charles T. Bryson Permissions for Use: see here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 241500

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Adult(s) Photographer: Terry Spivey
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Terry Spivey. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 173275

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius American Robin Photographer: Brian Gratwicke Date Taken: March 05, 2006
Location Taken: World War 1 Memorial - The National Mall, Washington DC. Copyright: © 2006 Brian Gratwicke. Photo originally appeared at DCNature.com, and is used with permission of Brian Gratwicke. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 197848

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Adult(s) Photographer: Charles T. Bryson Copyright: © Charles T. Bryson Permissions for Use: see here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 241499

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Bathing Photographer: Terry Spivey
Location Taken: United States Copyright: © Terry Spivey. Permissions for Use: see www.ForestryImages.org. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 172834

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Robin with Chicks Photographer: James C. Leupold Credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Source: http://images.fws.gov/ Permissions for Use: See here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 73427

Turdus migratorius Turdus migratorius Female Photographer: Donna A. Dewhurst Credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Source: http://images.fws.gov/ Permissions for Use: See here. ZipcodeZoo Photo ID: 71873

Distribution

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Range and Population

Caribbean; North America

Habitat

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Vegetation: tropical lowland evergreen forest, pine-oak forests, tropical lowland evergreen forest, pine forests, tropical lowland evergreen forest, second-growth forests and woodlands • Minimum Elevation: 1,200 meters • Maximum Elevation: 4,000 meters • Foraging Strata: Canopy • Center of Abundance: Middle montane: mountains, middle range, 1,600-2,600 m. • Relative Abundance in Tropical America: Common • Sensitivity to Disturbance: Low.

Diet

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Mostly:

Fruit

Lesser Quantities of: Insects Worms

Reproduction

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The breeding season lasts from April through August. Cup-shaped nests are built 2-7 m (6-20 ft) above ground in many types of trees and shrubs. A Robin's nest, usually constructed of woven grass, is distinguished by generous mud reinforcement. The female lays 4 - 5 light blue eggs, which she incubates for 13 days. Nestlings are altricial. Both the male and female feed the young birds, which fledge from the nest after 15 days.

Breeding Habitat: Urban
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 3-4
Length of Incubation: 12-14 days
Days to Fledge: 14-16
Number of Broods: 2, occasionally 3

Migration

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Migratory

Behavior

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The American Robin inhabits a wide variety of natural and human-modified areas, including forest edges, parks, and suburban towns. The Robin has a conspicuous style of foraging. It walks quickly along the ground, pausing frequently to scan the ground for prey, sometimes with its head angled to one side. Robins pull earthworms, insects, and insect larvae from the ground and glean berries from bushes.

Often seen walking, with an erect stance, across lawns in cities or towns. In winter, flocks may be seen in berry-bearing trees and bushes.

Song/Voice

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Turdus migratorius
Recordist: Tony Phillips Date Recorded: May 01, 1996 Location of Recording: Long Island

Scolding
Recordist: Tony Phillips Date Recorded: May 01, 1996 Location of Recording: Long Island

Similar Species

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Rufous-Backed Robin

Members of the genus Turdus:

More Info

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Notes

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Contributors:

Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed December 19, 2007. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 13 providers.

Data Sources:

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal December 19, 2007:

Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility, North West Territories and Nunavut Bird Checklist, Canada
Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility, Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Birds
Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility, Royal British Columbia Museum
New Brunswick Museum, NBM birds
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Musem of Natural History

Identifiers:

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 179759
Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13820742
Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: ABPBJ20170
Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 209

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Last Revised: May 17, 2008