m (deleted copyright tag pending change) |
(Video linked. Bird Song category added. Attempt to clean up copied text) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | |||
[[Image:Robin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Nigel Kiteley]] | [[Image:Robin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Nigel Kiteley]] | ||
;[[:Category:Erithacus|Erithacus]] rubecula | ;[[:Category:Erithacus|Erithacus]] rubecula | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
− | + | 12.5 – 14.0 cm | |
+ | Greyish-brown above, red breast | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
It occurs all over [[Europe]] to Western [[Siberia]], south to [[Algeria]] and on the Atlantic Ocean as far as the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]]. In the south east, it reaches the [[Caucasus]] range.<br />British Robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter and a few of these migrate as far as Spain. | It occurs all over [[Europe]] to Western [[Siberia]], south to [[Algeria]] and on the Atlantic Ocean as far as the [[Azores]] and [[Madeira]]. In the south east, it reaches the [[Caucasus]] range.<br />British Robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter and a few of these migrate as far as Spain. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The females move a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby territory that is more suitable for winter feeding. Males keep the same territory throughout the year. | ||
Scandinavian and Russian Robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. | Scandinavian and Russian Robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. | ||
Line 17: | Line 19: | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
− | + | Male Robins are highly territorial, and very aggressive for it's size. | |
− | |||
− | Male Robins are | ||
− | + | In the British Isles it is relatively unafraid of humans and will approach gardeners digging the soil, looking for earthworms and whatever else might turn up. The robin miay be seen sitting on the handle of the garden fork or spade, as it makes a handy view point. | |
+ | Continental birds are more wary. Robins will also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface. | ||
+ | ====Breeding==== | ||
Robins build a neat cup nest in crevices, holes or artificial sites such as discarded kettles. When juvenile birds fly from the nests they are mottled brown in colour all over and do not have a red breast. After 2 to 3 months out of the nest, the juvenile birds grow some reddish feathers under their chins and over a further 2 to 3 months this patch gradually extends to complete the adult appearance. | Robins build a neat cup nest in crevices, holes or artificial sites such as discarded kettles. When juvenile birds fly from the nests they are mottled brown in colour all over and do not have a red breast. After 2 to 3 months out of the nest, the juvenile birds grow some reddish feathers under their chins and over a further 2 to 3 months this patch gradually extends to complete the adult appearance. | ||
+ | ==Vocalisation== | ||
+ | A fluty, warbling song in the breeding season,, often singing after dark, leading some to confuse them with [[Common Nightingale]]. Both sexes sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories, the song then rather more plaintive than the summer version.<br /> | ||
+ | <flashmp3>Erithacus rubecula (song).mp3</flashmp3> | ||
+ | ''[[Media:Erithacus rubecula (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
+ | ==In Culture== | ||
+ | The distinctive red patch on the chest of both sexes led to its original name of redbreast. In the fifteenth century, when it became popular to give human names to familiar species, the bird came to be known as Robin redbreast, which was eventually shortened to robin. | ||
+ | Folklore tells us that the Robin obtained his red breast because blood dripped onto him when removing a thorn from the head of Jesus. | ||
− | == | + | ==References== |
− | + | Animal Pictures Archive | |
− | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Erithacus+rubecula}} | {{GSearch|Erithacus+rubecula}} | ||
− | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Erithacus]] | + | <br /> |
+ | {{Video|European_Robin}} | ||
+ | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Erithacus]][[Category:Bird Songs]] |
Revision as of 19:33, 8 March 2009
- Erithacus rubecula
Identification
12.5 – 14.0 cm Greyish-brown above, red breast
Distribution
It occurs all over Europe to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic Ocean as far as the Azores and Madeira. In the south east, it reaches the Caucasus range.
British Robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter and a few of these migrate as far as Spain.
The females move a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby territory that is more suitable for winter feeding. Males keep the same territory throughout the year.
Scandinavian and Russian Robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast.
Taxonomy
The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) or, in Europe, simply Robin is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family, but is now considered to belong to the Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae). European Robins and similar small European species are often called chats.
European Robin is subdivided into eight subspecies, of which the central Canary Island subspecies E. rubecula superbus have been proposed for a split under the name of Tenerife Robin or maybe even superb robin; so far this split does not seem to be supported by any major authority.
Habitat
Woodland of various kinds, usually deciduous or mixed but purely coniferous in some areas. Found in lower branches of trees and in bushes and shrubs, usually feeding on the ground. Common in parks and gardens, especially in Britain, also hedgerows and road verges but avoids most open spaces.
Behaviour
Male Robins are highly territorial, and very aggressive for it's size.
In the British Isles it is relatively unafraid of humans and will approach gardeners digging the soil, looking for earthworms and whatever else might turn up. The robin miay be seen sitting on the handle of the garden fork or spade, as it makes a handy view point.
Continental birds are more wary. Robins will also approach large wild animals, such as wild boar which disturb the ground, to look for any food that might be brought to the surface.
Breeding
Robins build a neat cup nest in crevices, holes or artificial sites such as discarded kettles. When juvenile birds fly from the nests they are mottled brown in colour all over and do not have a red breast. After 2 to 3 months out of the nest, the juvenile birds grow some reddish feathers under their chins and over a further 2 to 3 months this patch gradually extends to complete the adult appearance.
Vocalisation
A fluty, warbling song in the breeding season,, often singing after dark, leading some to confuse them with Common Nightingale. Both sexes sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories, the song then rather more plaintive than the summer version.
<flashmp3>Erithacus rubecula (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
In Culture
The distinctive red patch on the chest of both sexes led to its original name of redbreast. In the fifteenth century, when it became popular to give human names to familiar species, the bird came to be known as Robin redbreast, which was eventually shortened to robin.
Folklore tells us that the Robin obtained his red breast because blood dripped onto him when removing a thorn from the head of Jesus.
References
Animal Pictures Archive
External Links