About the Robin
The robin, also known as the European robin, is one of the UK’s most familiar and much-loved garden birds. This small, rounded bird is easily recognised by its bright orange-red face and breast, olive-brown upperparts, pale belly and large, dark eyes. Male and female robins look very similar, while juveniles have mottled golden-brown plumage and do not develop the distinctive orange-red breast until later.
Robins may look friendly, but they are bold and highly territorial. Both males and females defend territories, and disputes between neighbouring birds can be surprisingly fierce. Robins can be seen throughout the UK all year round, with additional birds arriving from continental Europe during autumn and winter.
What do robins eat?
Robins naturally forage on or close to the ground, searching among fallen leaves, plants and disturbed soil for insects and other small invertebrates. Their diet includes beetles, insect larvae, spiders and worms, as well as fruit and berries.
To support a robin visiting your garden or balcony, offer small quantities of suitable food, such as mealworms or a specially formulated robin food. Place the food in a clean, suitable feeder or feeding tray that helps keep it dry and limits contamination. Robins may also use specialist mealworm feeders, although many prefer to feed close to ground level.
You can provide longer-term support by leaving part of your garden slightly wild, growing dense vegetation and allowing some leaf litter to remain beneath shrubs. These areas provide natural feeding opportunities and shelter. Fresh water is also valuable: replace it regularly and keep bird baths and drinking containers clean.
Photo gallery
Our Nest boxes for Robins
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Facts
| Scientific name |
Erithacus Rubecula
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|---|---|
| Family |
Muscicapidae
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| Habitat |
Robins live in woodland, hedgerows, scrub, parks and gardens, as well as villages and towns. They favour places with vegetation, leaf litter and sheltered areas where they can forage and nest. Robins are widespread throughout the UK and can be seen all year round.
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| Food |
Robins eat insects, larvae, spiders, worms and other small invertebrates. They also feed on berries and fruit, particularly when natural insect food is harder to find. Garden visitors may take mealworms, suitable Robin food, suet pellets and small quantities of rolled oats.
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| Length |
12,5 - 14cm
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| Weight |
15 - 18g
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| Lifespan |
1 - 10 years
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| Breeding season |
April - July
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| Nest |
Robins build cup-shaped nests in sheltered places close to the ground. Common sites include banks, wall crevices, sheds, dense climbing plants, plant pots and other concealed ledges or hollows. They may also use a well-sheltered open-fronted nest box.
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| Song and call |
The Robin has a high-pitched, flowing song made up of whistles, twitters and trills. Its call is often a short, sharp ticking sound. Robins sing during much of the year and may even sing after dark in well-lit areas.
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| Identification |
Adult Robins have an orange-red face and breast, olive-brown upperparts, pale underparts and large, dark eyes. Males and females look very similar. Juvenile Robins are mottled golden-brown and do not yet have the adult orange-red breast.
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| Broods |
4–6 white eggs with reddish-brown speckles. Usually 2 broods in a season, sometimes 3.
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Our Food for Robins
Videos
Frequently asked questions about the robin
Does a Robin nest in a nest box?
Robins rarely nest in a standard nest box with a round entrance hole. Choose an open-fronted nest box and place it 1 to 1.5 metres above the ground, well hidden among climbing plants or shrubs. Robins naturally nest low down, in wall crevices, wood piles or dense vegetation.
What food can you give a Robin?
Mealworms are a favourite, either fresh or dried. Robins also enjoy oats, sunflower seeds, peanut cake and other high-energy foods. Scatter food on the ground or place it on a bird table, as Robins prefer to feed close to the ground. They especially appreciate garden feeding during winter.
Can you see Robins in the garden all year round?
There’s a good chance you can. Some Robins in the UK stay all year round, while others migrate to France and Spain. In winter, they are joined by Scandinavian Robins that spend the colder months here. So the Robin in your garden in December could easily be a visitor from Sweden.
Are Robins aggressive?
Towards other Robins, yes. Males in particular fiercely defend their territory, both during the breeding season and throughout winter. Around people, however, Robins are remarkably curious. They often come close when you’re digging in the garden, looking for worms you’ve brought to the surface.
Do female Robins have a red breast too?
Female and male Robins look almost identical, both with an orange-red breast, throat and forehead. Only juvenile Robins lack the orange colouring: they are mottled golden-brown. Later in their first year, they develop the familiar red breast of adult birds.