Bird Sounds: American Robin

Robins are no longer "harbingers of spring" here in Huntington, West Virginia. They stick around all year. Every year around Christmas time, they come in a huge flock and eat every single berry on my holly tree. Occasionally, they leave the berries until a day or so after Christmas, but I have gradually come not to appreciate their presence. Yeah, I know. "Angels appear when cardinals are near" or vice-versa, but couldn't they at least wait until January?

I have two blueberry bushes I planted about 23 ears ago and very early in Spring or even late winter I always have a bunch of Robins constantly eyeing those bushes just waiting for their goodies. IF I've had a handful of those blueberries each year - its a miracle!!

But to tell you the truth I'm enjoying seeing those Robins each year more!!! Also my two Siamese cats (they are never let out) love watching from my bedroom window too.

I live on the western part of Pa. And around here the robins never leave, we just don't always recognize them, because of their winter colors. I was told that they develop their red breasts,once the ground is soft(warm) enough for the earthworms to come out. Like flamingoes get their pink coloring from shrimp. Robins get their red from the earthworms, that they eat. So when the ground is warm, spring is near, and the Robins most definitive coloring returns .

It's February 20, 2024 here in Cali and this morning I heard "Rock". He sings very early in the morning when it's dusky and his song echoes through the neighborhood. His mate, "Robin", has been seen on the back fence. They are both a sign that Spring is, indeed, just around the corner...

I grew up in northeast Philadelphia, PA. We always had robins in our back yard and front lawn. I loved to dig in the dirt even back when I was very young. I dug up worms for the robins, but they would fly away from me! My husband and I moved to Southern California in 1986, and until this spring (2023), we had not seen any robins. I was delighted to see two in the orchard this Spring, in Piñon Hills. Friends are seeing them for the first time in this area this year, too. We're at 4,400 feet and had thought it was not the right environment for them. So glad they're here!

I live in north central Texas about 5 miles from the Red River. A few years back, we had a solid week of very cold, snowy, icy days in February. I had quite a few bird feeders out that I would fill several times a day. I had one I'd fill with meal worms for the wrens and bluebirds. I saw one lonely female Robin and she watched me closely I put meal worms on the snow under one of the feeders. After I moved away, she came over and ate them. She would come every morning and evening the whole week and wait patiently while I put the meal worms out just for her on the same spot on the ground. Once it warmed up, and the snow and ice melted, I didn't see her anymore. I sure enjoyed that encounter. Late February every year I hear and then see quite a few Robins on my acreage.

The robin is favorite song bird. Their song is truly distinctive. For me, it is cheerful and memorable. The robin was the first songbird I have a memory of. My mother told me what the bird was called when I asked. I never tire of seeing and hearing them. I live in Portland, Oregon (my hometown) and Robin Redbreast is here year-round.

I find it amusing hearing the robins singing what sounds like, cheeseburger cheeseburger and sometimes just cheese. I swear sometimes they make me hungry! peace out~