View allAll Photos Tagged turdusmigratorius

rare partially leucistic robin taken at the park in Yarker Ontario

Thanks for all the info furryscaly! really appreciate it :)

An American Robin sits in a tree at the Spencer Overlook.

When I saw this robin fly past my dining room window this morning, I could hardly believe my eyes. But when he came back, landed on the wire leading to the street lamp and surveyed all the goldfinches, pine siskins and redpolls busy at the feeders below him, there was no doubt about it! He stayed here in this position long enough for me to get my camera and grab six shots of him through the glass. (I really do have to get those windows cleaned). I know they rarely, if ever, use the feeders, but I thought for a minute there he intended to make use of the heated birdbath.

 

Last year I saw the first robin on April 14th ... but, since we had a great winter last year, all the snow was gone by then and the crocuses were up. This year we have mountains of snow remaining and we even had flurries again only a short while ago. About the only sizeable patch of bare ground anywhere in sight is my backyard where I plowed it out with the Argo so that I could get my trailer out. Shortly after seeing this one, I noticed two more on that bare patch of grass.

 

The Latin name Turdus migratorius comes from two words 'Turdus' which means thrush and migratorius which comes from the word migrare which means 'to go'. Well, lets just hope these beautiful little birds didn't 'go' up north too early or they might just have to start changing their habits and start visiting the feeders. :-)

 

They were a joy to see though, let me assure you. In fact, anyone who experiences our northern winter can't help but get a little lift when these little creatures put in their first appearance.

 

View On Black

Back alley, York Neighborhood, Bellingham, WA.

 

© 2017 Andrew A Reding. Comments (including corrections) invited. Photographed RAW, so customizable. Photos are reduced; check my profile page for information on use of full-size originals.

This pretty fella flew right up next to me, and allowed me to fire off three shots before continuing on his way. Looks like he may be leucistic, with the irregular white feathers.

Taken at Pioneer Park in Seattle (Mercer Island), WA.

 

Funny story behind this one...I read on our local birding mailing list that an Albino Robin had been seen at this park, so I decided to drive over and take some pictures, assuming I could find it. Little did I know that the park was pretty large, and full of dense trees and brush. I walked around for a good 30 minutes in the middle of the woods before I came back to the "main road". About 2 minutes later, the Robin was right in front of me! In this case, I had not brought my camera with me, as I wanted to scout around first, so I ran back to the car (a good 1/4 mile away) and came back and it was gone. About 15 minutes later, I had found him (her?) again and got some great photos.

 

Moral of the story - always carry your camera when you go "scouting" thinking that you won't find anything. :-)

Too bad about the branches, but I want to share this shot of the robin in song, as are many more birds in the morning, a sure herald of spring, which is just seven and a half weeks away. It was high in the tree on a windy morning, as you can tell from its ruffled breast feathers. (Note: Many robins stay here year 'round but don't start singing till late January. Some live up to their 'migratorius' name and just pass through en route elsewhere. This one is a resident.)

 

If you want to read more about the robin click here.

 

The sound link at the Cornell site isn't working, so to hear its song, click here and then click on the audio link.

 

I still can't go visiting you very much. I'm really sorry

 

© All rights reserved. No usage allowed in any form without the written consent of Mim Eisenberg.

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Chicago, IL.

Mom built this lovely nest in the rafters of the back porch. She flies away whenever we drive up or go outside. I climbed a ten foot ladder and held the camera over the nest for these photos. We'll be keeping a close eye on developments. I estimate the eggs to be about 2 weeks old at this time. Which means, because incubation is 12-14 days, that they will hatch sometime when I am in Vermont. Of course.

This was a few days ago, when signs of spring were beginning to make themselves known, and before the last 3 days of bone-chilling Arctic air (10 F. on a good day!) Thankfully, it will warm up this weekend to nearly 50 F., so I think spring is just around the corner for New England!

Early morning light shines on the front profile of an American robin.

Stanley Park, Vancouver

I thought he was in the right spot with the blue sky as background.

J'ai cru qu'il était bien placé avec l'arrière-plan du ciel bleu.

BIGGER IS BETTER

© All rights reserved. Use without permission is illegal.

© Tous droits réservés. L'utilisation sans ma permission est illégale

Surrounded by berries. Crest awn Memorial Gardens, Howard County, Maryland.

Tommy Thompson Park, April 2025.

 

Nikon Z 8

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

American robin (Turdus migratorius). Our side door nest has been very busy over the last week.

The American robins have returned! Winter is no more; spring is here!

North American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Male Robin

This poor American robin (Turdus migratorius) all fluffed up against the cold and snow must eat sumac since the ground is covered with snow this morning....

Happy Feathery Friday... I think...

 

Shot with the teleconverter (920mm) through the patio door in our backyard in Brampton, Ontario.

A small flock of immature robins visited my Mayday trees for a few berries before migrating south for the season.

Juvenile Sunbathing ~ American Robin ~ Turdus migratorius ~ Merle d'Amerique ~ My yard in Sparta, NJ

Ah, the Turdus migratorius, as usual?

So a few years ago when our maple called it quits, we replaced it with a mountain ash, famous for its red berries that hang on through winter and look especially glorious when snow covers its branches. By spring the berries are desiccated but make for high quality, high sugar food for incoming migrators.

Well, it hasn't exactly worked out that way. This out-going migrator, the American robin, and several other bird species, will make sure there will be not a single red berry standing out against the snow this winter, or "raisins" awaiting their spring return.

 

A bright Cock Robin all stuffed with Mountain Ash Berries (Pink Pagoda)! Please view LARGE?

 

Who killed Cock Robin?

 

The origin of the "Who killed cock robin" poem is best described as an English folksong or poem rather than a nursery rhyme. The words of "Who killed cock robin" are said to refer to the death of the legendary figure of Robin Hood and not that of a bird. The legend of Robin Hood encompasses the theme that he stole from the rich to give to the poor. The words of "Who killed cock robin" describe how help was offered from all quarters following the death of cock robin thus reflecting the high esteem in which Robin was held by the common folk.

 

"Who killed Cock Robin?" "I," said the Sparrow,

"With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."

"Who saw him die?" "I," said the Fly,

"With my little eye, I saw him die."

"Who caught his blood?" "I," said the Fish,

"With my little dish, I caught his blood."

"Who'll make the shroud?" "I," said the Beetle,

"With my thread and needle, I'll make the shroud."

"Who'll dig his grave?" "I," said the Owl,

"With my pick and shovel, I'll dig his grave."

"Who'll be the parson?" "I," said the Rook,

"With my little book, I'll be the parson."

"Who'll be the clerk?" "I," said the Lark,

"If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk."

"Who'll carry the link?" "I," said the Linnet,

"I'll fetch it in a minute, I'll carry the link."

"Who'll be chief mourner?" "I," said the Dove,

"I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner."

"Who'll carry the coffin?" "I," said the Kite,

"If it's not through the night, I'll carry the coffin."

"Who'll bear the pall? "We," said the Wren,

"Both the cock and the hen, we'll bear the pall."

"Who'll sing a psalm?" "I," said the Thrush,

"As she sat on a bush, I'll sing a psalm."

"Who'll toll the bell?" "I," said the bull,

"Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell."

All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,

When they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.

American Robin on a branch with berries in Burns Bog Delta BC

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Chicago, IL.

Juvenile Sunbathing ~ American Robin ~ Turdus migratorius ~ Merle d'Amerique ~ My yard in Sparta, NJ

The American Robin has a place in Native American mythology. The story of how the robin got its red breast by fanning the dying flames of a campfire to save a Native American man and a boy is similar to those that surround the European Robin

Loyola Park. Chicago, IL.

American Robin, Central Park, New York, USA, April 2019.

The first backyard Robin of the year, on a day when it decided to snow. The red berries are raspberries stuck in the crabapple tree for the birds to eat. Or in this case, ignore.

 

Somewhat unsharp as this was shot through the glass of the patio door. Shutter speed was a bit slow, too. Colour slightly punched up with Filter Forge "Vibrance".

 

Nikon D5000 / Nikkor 55-300mm @ 300mm, 1/30th sec., f/5.6, ISO 200.

Not the subject for certain. He is quite the handsome fellow. I was able to take quite a few pictures of him but none were as sharp as I had hoped. I tried a few different settings but they were all similar in the end....which was not what I had hoped for. Steep learning curve :)

 

...feeding on Hawthorn tree haws.

 

The American Robin ranges across almost the entire North American continent from the northern reaches of Alaska and Canada to as far south as southern Mexico. Normally migrates from most of Canada in winter, but winters regularly from southern Alaska, portions of southern most Canada and the north - central United States south throughout the continental United States, as well as large areas of northern Mexico, and the western Caribbean.

 

Habitat is just about everywhere across the entire continent. Gardens, parks, yards, golf courses, fields, pastures, tundra, as well as deciduous woodlands, pine forests, shrublands, and forests regenerating after fires or logging. During winter many Robins move to moist woods where berry-producing trees and shrubs are common.

 

American Robins eat large numbers of both invertebrates and fruit. Particularly in spring and summer they eat large numbers of earthworms as well as insects and some snails. (They have rarely been recorded eating shrews, small snakes, and aquatic insects.) Robins also eat an enormous variety of fruits, including chokecherries, hawthorn, dogwood, and sumac fruits, and juniper berries. Especially during Fall and winter. Estimates put plant matter between 60 - 75% of the Robin's diet. When they eat honeysuckle berries exclusively, they sometimes become intoxicated.

 

The American Robin can produce three successful broods in one year. On average, though, only 40 percent of nests successfully produce young. Only 25 percent of those fledged young survive to November. From that point on, about half of the Robins alive in any year will make it to the next. Despite the fact that a lucky Robin can live to be 14 years old, the entire population turns over on average every six years.

 

ISO800, aperture f/5.6, exposure .003 seconds (1/400) focal length 420mm

 

Fledgling American robin, Turdus migratorius.

 

A robin built a nest on top of the light fixture on my patio this spring. She laid four eggs, all of which hatched and survived to fledge. Last night, one of the chicks was perched on the edge of the nest, hinting toward imminent departure. Sure enough, by early morning the chicks had all left the nest except for this runt, about half the size of its three siblings and with feathers much less developed.

 

Throughout the day, both parents brought berries and worms to the three larger chicks, who hopped around the patio. The father made soft calls to them, particularly upon returning with food. Eventually, the chicks scrambled up a low retaining wall and into the cover of several shrubs.

 

Around noon, both parents broke into frantic alarm cries. I looked out onto the patio area just in time to see the flash of black and white hindquarters departing around the back of the house: one of the neighborhood feral cats had caught a chick. I dashed outside my back door and chased after the cat, who dropped his prize (incidentally, this is the same cat that is constantly spraying urine on my back door). The chick was still but breathing, and showed no signs of wounds, bleeding, or even ruffled feathers. I carefully scooped up the dazed chick and returned it to the bushes concealing its siblings, and after a few minutes it revived and scuttled off into the bushes.

 

Despite cries for food, the smallest chick was ignored while it remained safe in the nest. After a half day of neglect, it took the plunge and jumped down onto the patio, perhaps lured by the calls of its parents. Unfortunately, its legs and feathers were not as developed as those of its siblings, and it was unable to hop, flap or otherwise scramble up the retaining wall, off of the patio and into the safety of the garden bushes. After taking its picture, I scooped it up and set it down gently where its siblings were last seen.

 

Throughout the afternoon, both parents continued to bring food to the bushes where the fledglings were hiding. Near dusk, I spotted one of the larger chicks, and I noted the the parents were also bringing food to at least two locations, so presumably at least two chicks made it through the day. I can't confirm if this little guy made it.

Winter weather has returned to Vermont this week, and the birds are going back to their winter forage sources wherever possible. American Robin in Staghorn Sumac:

Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park

7/5/09

I went to a local park this afternoon in the hope of seeing the little Long-tailed Weasel, but I was out of luck. However, I did see three American Robins, presumably returned from their winter location. They really are beautiful birds, but perhaps a bit taken-for-granted. Gorgeous colour - but they always make me miss the little, round English Robins, which I haven't seen for 30 years now : (

An American Robin on the grass on Burnaby Mountain Burnaby BC Canada

Note how much darker this bird's plumage is than the feathers of most of the other robins in this series. This one is a mature adult, but by fall, its spring breeding colors are somewhat muted, though not as pale as those of this year's hatch.

 

It and the others of its tribe as well as other species of birds swooped in at the exact moment the tree's berries were at their peak nutritional appeal and ate literally them all. They were tanking up in preparation for migration. A month later, at the time of this posting, nearly all the robins have left the pop stand, but they'll be among the first, and most welcome, harbingers of spring

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