Robins are a group of birds that are often associated with their warm red breasts and dark heads and bodies. However, not all birds with the name “robin” are from the same family. For example, the red robin birds found in America are New World thrushes, while the European robin it was named after is actually an Old-World flycatcher.
This article will cover birds with the word “robin” in their names, including those from the Americas and other parts of the world.
You are reading: Discover All 6 Types Of Robin Birds
In this article, you will discover all types of robin birds, such as the American Robin, European Robin, Rufous-Backed Robin, White-Throated Robin, Siberian Blue Robin, and Black Robin.
6 Types Of Robin Birds
American Robin
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider thrush family. It is named after the European robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the Old World flycatcher family.
The American Robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering from southern Canada to central Mexico and along the Pacific coast
American Robins are fairly large songbirds with a large, round body, long legs, and fairly long tail. They are the largest North American thrushes.
They have dark gray or black heads, gray backs and wings, and bright reddish-brown undersides with a white patch under the tail. Males and females have similar coloration, but females tend to have paler coloration on their heads.
There are some differences in color based on where the robins live. Robins in eastern North America tend to have more vivid coloration compared to their western cousins.
American Robins are common sights on lawns across North America, where you often see them tugging earthworms out of the ground. They are popular birds for their warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter.
Though they’re familiar town and city birds, American Robins are at home in wilder areas, too, including mountain forests and Alaskan wilderness.
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According to the Partners in Flight database (2019), the American Robin is the most abundant landbird in North America (with 370 million individuals), ahead of red-winged blackbirds and European starlings.
American Robins usually raise two to three broods per season, with each brood consisting of three to five eggs. The eggs are pale blue or “robin’s-egg blue.” Incubation is done by the female, and the young are fed by both parents.
American Robins are most active in the daytime. They spend much of their time hopping around the grass in search of earthworms to eat. They also eat berries and insects, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Snakes, hawks, and cats hunt adult American Robins, while squirrels, blue jays, crows, and ravens eat American Robin eggs and chicks.
European Robin
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that belongs to the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family. It is also known as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland.
Here are some interesting facts about the European Robin:
– The European Robin is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa. It is sedentary in most of its range except the far north.
– The European Robin is about 12.5–14.0 cm (4.9–5.5 in) in length, and the male and female are similar in coloration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upper-parts, and a whitish belly.
– The distinctive orange breast of both sexes makes the European Robin easily recognizable. Juveniles are speckled gold and brown, only developing the distinctive red plumage in adulthood.
– The European Robin is a highly territorial bird and will aggressively defend its domain against others. It is a solitary bird and tends to hunt during the day, but it will hunt at night if it is exposed to artificial lights.
– The European 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. Relatively unafraid of people, robins often follow gardeners around to take advantage of freshly dug-up worms and even feed from their hands.
– The European Robin is a popular symbol of Christmas, with robins appearing on Christmas cards and decorations. It is also the UK’s favorite bird, with its bright red breast making it familiar throughout the year.
Overall, the European Robin is a charismatic little bird that is easily recognizable and popular among bird enthusiasts.
Rufous-Backed Robin
The Rufous-Backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) is a medium-sized songbird of the thrush family that is endemic to the Pacific slope of Mexico. Here are some interesting facts about the Rufous-Backed Robin:
Appearance:
– The Rufous-Backed Robin is similar in appearance to the American Robin, but is a bit smaller, measuring 21.5–24 cm (8.5–9.4 in) in length, with an average wingspan of 39.4 cm (15.5 in) and weight of 74 g (2.6 oz) .
– The adult Rufous-Backed Robin has a rufous or olive-rufous upper back, which contrasts with the grayish head, nape, and rump. The chest and flanks are also rufous, while the belly and undertail coverts are white. The throat is white with many black streaks, and the bill and eye-ring are yellow. Females are typically somewhat duller-colored.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Rufous-Backed Robin is found in tropical woodlands, gardens, and forests in lowlands and lower foothills of western Mexico, with isolated populations in Mexico City and the Yucatan Peninsula.
– They have been known to wander, and there are many sightings of Rufous-Backed Robins in the southwestern United States.
Behavior and Diet:
– The Rufous-Backed Robin is a shy and elusive bird that hides in woods or dense thickets.
– They feed on insects, fruits, and berries, and are known to follow army ant swarms to feed on the insects that are flushed out by the ants.
Conservation Status:
– The Rufous-Backed Robin is listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its large range and stable population.
Overall, the Rufous-Backed Robin is a beautiful and interesting bird that is endemic to Mexico and is a treat to see for birdwatchers who visit the region.
White-Throated Robin
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The White-Throated Robin (Irania gutturalis) is a small, sexually dimorphic, migratory passerine bird that belongs to the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. Here are some interesting facts about the White-Throated Robin:
Appearance:
– The White-Throated Robin is sexually dimorphic, with males having a bluish upperpart, a dark face, and a white supercilium, while females have a brownish upperpart, a pale supercilium, and a white throat.
– This species is larger than the European robin, having a length of 16 centimeters (6.3 in) and a wingspan of 28 centimeters (11 in).
Habitat and Distribution:
– The White-Throated Robin breeds in western Asia and overwinters in East Africa.
– It is found in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, scrub, and gardens.
Behavior and Diet:
– The White-Throated Robin feeds on insects, such as beetles, termites, ants, crickets, caterpillars, bugs, spiders, and millipedes, as well as some plant material, such as the fruits of the woolly caper-bush (Capparis tomentosa).
– It is mainly insectivorous and forages on the ground, often flicking its tail.
Conservation Status:
– The White-Throated Robin has an extremely large range and is not considered to be threatened. It is listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Overall, the White-Throated Robin is a beautiful bird that is found in western Asia and East Africa. It is known for its distinctive white throat and is mainly insectivorous.
Siberian Blue Robin
The Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora cyane) is a small passerine bird that is native to eastern Asia, breeding on the islands of Japan, northern China, Korea, and Russia. Here are some interesting facts about the Siberian Blue Robin:
Appearance:
– The adult male Siberian Blue Robin is unmistakable, with blue upperparts and a snow-white belly separated by black running down the sides of the breast. The female is brownish-gray above and buffy below, with a pale eye-ring and a faint supercilium.
– The Siberian Blue Robin is a small bird, measuring about 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and weighing around 12 g (0.42 oz).
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Siberian Blue Robin breeds in coniferous forests with dense undergrowth, and it mainly favors spruce (Picea), birch (Betula), pine (Pinus), and fir (Abies) trees.
– During the winter months, the Siberian Blue Robin migrates to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Behavior and Diet:
– The Siberian Blue Robin is an insectivorous bird that feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
– The male Siberian Blue Robin is known for its beautiful song, which is a series of clear, whistled notes that are often delivered from a high perch.
Conservation Status:
– The Siberian Blue Robin is listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its large range and stable population.
Overall, the Siberian Blue Robin is a beautiful and interesting bird that is native to eastern Asia. It is known for its blue upperparts and snow-white belly, as well as its beautiful song.
Black Robin
The Black Robin (Petroica traversi) is an endangered bird species that is native to the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand. Here are some interesting facts about the Black Robin:
Appearance:
– The Black Robin is a small, rotund bird that is intermediate in size and form between its tomtit and robin relatives. Both sexes are entirely black.
Habitat and Distribution:
– The Black Robin is endemic to the Chatham Islands, which are located about 800 km east of New Zealand.
– The Black Robin was once found throughout the Chatham Islands, but it became extinct on the main island of the Chatham group before 1871, being restricted to Little Mangere Island thereafter.
Behavior and Diet:
– The Black Robin feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, which it forages for in the undergrowth of the forest.
– The Black Robin is monogamous and pairs bond for life. They breed in the austral spring and summer, with females laying two to three eggs per clutch.
Conservation Status:
– The Black Robin is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its small population size and restricted range.
– The Black Robin was once on the brink of extinction, with only five individuals remaining in 1980. However, a successful conservation program has helped to increase the population to around 250 individuals today.
Overall, the Black Robin is a unique and interesting bird species that is endemic to the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand. It is known for its entirely black plumage and was once on the brink of extinction before successful conservation efforts helped to increase its population.
FAQS
1. What are the six types of robin birds covered in this article?
The six types of robin birds covered in this article are the American Robin, European Robin, Rufous-Backed Robin, White-Throated Robin, Siberian Blue Robin, and Black Robin.
2. What is the American Robin known for?
The American Robin is known for its warm orange breast, cheery song, and early appearance at the end of winter. It is also the largest North American thrush.
3. Where is the European Robin found?
The European Robin is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa.
4. What is the Rufous-Backed Robin’s habitat?
The Rufous-Backed Robin is found in tropical woodlands, gardens, and forests in lowlands and lower foothills of western Mexico.
5. What is the conservation status of the Black Robin?
The Black Robin is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its small population size and restricted range.
6. What is the Siberian Blue Robin known for?
The Siberian Blue Robin is known for its blue upperparts and snow-white belly, as well as its beautiful song.
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Category: Birds
