Fascinating Facts About Robins

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of a new season, American Robins become a focal point of our thoughts. Their familiar song heralds the approach of spring, but while we wait, let's delve into some intriguing facts about these modest thrushes (yep - thrushes!).

1. Some Robins Stay All Year
While American Robins are often seen as symbols of spring, not all of them migrate. Their wintering range depends significantly on weather and food availability. As long as there is a steady food supply, many robins can withstand cold temperatures. Native fruit-bearing plants often provide ample sustenance through the winter months. Robins maintain a body temperature of about 104℉ by shivering and fluffing their feathers, which acts as insulation against harsh weather. This energy-intensive process is fueled by the food they consume. Research suggests that more robins remain in northern areas over winter than previously thought, adapting their behaviors rather than migrating. In winter, they form non-territorial, nomadic flocks to feed on berries, disbanding in spring to claim and defend nesting territories. Although many robins do migrate south, their winter behaviors suggest that more might stay year-round than we realize.

2. Robins Have a Unique Food Storage System
American Robins possess a remarkably stretchy esophagus that serves as a storage compartment for extra food, especially beneficial during winter. This adaptation allows them to pack their throats with fruits like crab apples, mountain ash berries, and juniper berries to sustain them through cold nights. This extra food cache can be crucial for surviving low temperatures.

3. Robins are Prolific Nesters
If you notice baby robins throughout spring and summer, it's because these birds are exceptional at nesting. Robins can raise up to three broods of 3-5 chicks each season. Additionally, they occasionally raise foster chicks, as their nests are often parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds. These cowbirds lay their eggs in robin nests, leaving them to be incubated and raised by the unsuspecting foster parents.

4. Massive Flocks are Common
While you might see a few robins searching for worms in your backyard during the breeding season, their roosting behavior changes in winter. Adult males form small roosts during the breeding season, with females and later juveniles joining them. These roosts can range from 20 to 200 individuals, sometimes swelling to as many as 250,000 birds. These gatherings occasionally include other bird species, such as European Starlings and Common Grackles.

5. They Sometimes Get Intoxicated
Robins sometimes unintentionally become intoxicated by consuming fermented berries. The first frost causes berries to ferment, creating bird-sized servings of alcohol. When robins binge on these berries, their coordination and flying abilities can be affected. This issue becomes more pronounced in spring when thawing fermented fruits produce potent alcohol concentrations. If you encounter a robin that seems "under the influence," it may just need a quiet place to recover. However, it's wise to contact a wildlife rehab facility for guidance.

Whether or not robins stick around during winter, they remain a cherished symbol of spring. Here's hoping spring arrives soon! 😉

Happy trails!
- Shayna