Species Profile
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
European Robin
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
2–3 years
Length
12.5–14 cm
Weight
16–22 g
Wingspan
20–22 cm
Migration
Partial migrant
Also known as: Robin, Robin Redbreast
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Appearance
The European Robin is a small, plump bird with a distinctive orange-red breast and face contrasting with its grey-brown upperparts and white belly. Its round body, large head, and thin legs give it a characteristic 'puffball' appearance.
Male and female Robins are practically impossible to distinguish on looks alone. Both have big black eyes, fine grey bills and pinkish legs.
Juvenile Robins are quite distinct. These young birds are mottled in light and dark brown and do not develop their tell-tale red breast until they are a few months old.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Brown
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
European Robins are widespread across Europe, from the UK and Ireland to western Siberia. They inhabit various wooded areas, including deciduous and mixed forests, parks, farmland and gardens.
While some northern populations migrate south for winter, many UK Robins are resident year-round. They've adapted well to human presence, frequently seen in urban and suburban areas.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
Wales
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Cambridgeshire
Rutland
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Bristol
Cheshire
Cornwall
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
European Robins are primarily insectivorous, feeding on worms, insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They forage on the ground and are often seen tilting their heads as they listen for prey movement.
In autumn and winter, when insects are relatively scarce, they supplement their diet with carbohydrate-rich berries, seeds and fruit.
Behaviour
European Robins are known for their bold and inquisitive nature, often approaching humans closely. They are fiercely territorial, with both males and females defending their areas year-round. Robins are frequently seen perched upright, making short, quick hops on the ground to forage.
Calls & Sounds
Both male and female Robins sing although males do almost all of the singing in spring. Their song is varied and melodious, including many warbled and whistled notes.
Robins sing from before sunrise and end soon after sunset, although some continue to sing into the night in well-lit urban areas. These birds also produce a range of shorter ‘tic’ and ‘seep’ notes in alarm, during aggressive encounters, and to maintain contact with their partners.
It's one of the few birds that sing year-round, including at night in areas with artificial lighting. Their alarm call is a sharp, repeated 'tic-tic-tic'.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for European Robins typically starts in March and can last until August. Males court females with song and offering food.
Nests are built using leaves, moss, and grass in various locations, from tree hollows to man-made objects. Females lay 4-6 pale blue or white eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 14-16 days but remain dependent on adults for another three weeks.
Conservation
While the European Robin is currently of Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and climate change. In the UK, it's protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats in urban and rural areas.
Elevation
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Ground-nesting Robins are also vulnerable to foxes, rodents, and snakes.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Robins in gardens, parks, and woodland edges
- Listen for their melodious warbling song, especially at dawn and dusk
- Watch for their characteristic 'head-cocking' behaviour when hunting for worms
- In the UK, they're often seen following gardeners, waiting for unearthed insects
Did You Know?
- European Robins can recognise human faces and may become tame enough to feed from the hand.
- They're the unofficial national bird of the United Kingdom, declared by The Times on December 15th, 1960.
- Robins often sing at night in urban areas, especially under streetlights.
- Robins each have a unique breast pattern that can be used to identify different individuals.
- The maximum recorded age for the species is an impressive 19 years and four months.
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Related Articles
Do Robins Migrate? (European Robin Migration Guide)
19 May 2022
The Life of Baby Robins: From Hatchlings to Fledglings
<ul><li><strong>Appearance of Baby Robins:</strong> Juvenile robins lack the red breast of adults and have spotted brown bodies. They are born altricial (undeveloped), initially pink and featherless, with eyes closed for about five days, and feathers starting to show around three days.</li><li><strong>Breeding and Nesting:</strong> In the UK, the robin breeding season runs from April to mid-June. Robins lay 4-7 eggs per clutch, with up to three clutches a year, and eggs are incubated for about 14 days. Chicks fledge the nest 14-16 days after hatching.</li><li><strong>Development of Juvenile Robins:</strong> Juvenile robins get their red breasts in late summer, around 2-3 months old, after a partial moult. Their diet initially consists of regurgitated food from adults and gradually includes a mix of invertebrates, seeds, and fruit.</li><li><strong>Parental Care:</strong> Baby robins stay with their parents for up to three weeks post-fledging, with males predominantly caring for fledglings while females prepare for the next brood. Baby robins can fly a few days after leaving the nest.</li></ul>
12 Mar 2021
Robin Nesting in UK Gardens: When, Where & How to Help
4 May 2022
How Long Do Robins Live? (European Robin Lifespan)
6 May 2022
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