Male and female Robins are very similar, both have a red breast and same colour plumage over rest of the body. Juveniles do not have a red breast until adult, instead they have a speckled light brown breast with blotches of red plumage appearing towards adulthood.
This is a well-loved species and is UKs favourite bird, especially a favourite at Christmas time; with its image appearing on countless Christmas cards. The Robin can become very tame with people and will follow gardeners very close as the soil is turned. Most of the European Robins are much shyer birds.
Diet: They will flit across the ground ever searching for worms, insects, spiders, and when the time of year yields, berries, various seasonal fruits and seeds. Will also be a regular visitor to bird tables and seed feeders, especially over the winter months. In the winter months native UK variants are joined by other Robins from other parts of Europe especially from the Scandinavia countries. These Robins vary slightly different in appearance, as they do not have such a bright red breast and have a greyer tone plumage to their upper parts.
Widespread, but absent in Iceland and far north of Europe, the Robin can be seen in the UK all year round. It is estimated there are about 60,000,000 Robins world-wide, Europe accounts for between 75 to 94% and the UK contains around 10% of the global population of Robins.
This is a territorial bird and the red breast is used as a warning to deter intruders on its patch. Sometimes the Robin can and will be more aggressive, particularly towards another Robin! Far from cute, they are quick and relentless to drive intruders away.
Nests can be found in about anywhere, as they are frequently found in buildings, such as sheds and barns that have an opening. The nest consists of leaves and grass found mainly in dense bushes or hedgerows, especially where thick Ivy is growing. Nests consists of between 4 to 6 eggs, usually two broods between April and August.
