Predators: Birds of prey, and domestic cats and dogs
Size: 12-14cm, with a 20-22cm wingspan
Weight: 14-21g
Lifespan: 1-2 years
About robins
Associated with Christmas, lost loved ones and good luck, these small birds are an endearing sight across the UK. However, despite their cute appearance, they are fiercely territorial and will aggressively defend their patch against others.
Their connection with the festive period came about in the Victorian era, when postmen were nicknamed robins due to the red waistcoats they wore as part of their uniform. They then began to appear on Christmas cards to represent the mail staff who delivered them.
Robins and our canals
Robins are a charming and frequent sight along many urban and rural canals. Long, connected hedgerows and lush waterway banks offer a range of dietry favourites, as well as safe spaces to nest and breed.
Learn more about the work we do to create new habitats and protect wildlife on our canals
What does a robin look like?
Robins are instantly recognisable thanks to their infamous orange-red breast, which is actually used as a territory defender.
Small and round in shape, they also have a brown-grey plumage to their back, wings and tail, and a short, narrow beak.
Robins are one of only a few UK birds that sing all year round. Image credit: Amy Lewis
What does a robin's song sound like?
Robins have a cheerful melody, which rises and falls in pitch in a steady rhythm. It includes a mix of short twitters and trills, alongside longer notes.
They sing nearly all year round, so you may well hear one before you see it. Whilst this is a charming sound to us, their constant singing is actually used to ward off unwanted visitors that may happen upon their patch.
Xeno-canto: David Bissett
What do robins eat?
Robins alter their diet depending on the season. In the spring and summer, they eat the likes of beetles, earthworms, caterpillars and small spiders, which are high in protein and readily available.
When autumn and winter arrives and creepy crawlies are harder to find, they opt for berries, seeds, nuts and fruits such as apples.
How and when do robins breed?
Breeding season tends to occur in March, but it can happen as early as January if the winter has been mild.
Around ground height, the female robin builds a nest in the shape of a cup using a combination of dead leaves, hair, moss and grass. Once this is complete, a pair will engage in 'courtship feeding', ahead of mating.
The female then lays her clutch of 4-6 eggs between mid-April and mid-August. After about 13 days, the chicks will start to hatch, and fledge around a fortnight later.
Whether you’re a dedicated birdwatcher or not, here are 18 species to identify along our canals and rivers
Where do robins live?
Robins aren't fussy as to where they hang their proverbial hats. Typically, they are found in woodlands, hedgerows, parks, farmlands and gardens. They opt to nest in dense and sheltered spaces, which can be anything from tree roots and overgrown bushes to bird boxes and flower pots.
Some weird and wonderful nesting sites witnessed also include car bonnets, lanterns, post boxes and even coat pockets.
Tips to spot robins
Robins are confident birds, so your chances of seeing one are pretty high. They're present all year round in the UK, but they're easier to spot in autumn and winter when trees and hedgerows become more sparse.
Unable to resist their favourite foods, robins can easily be encouraged into gardens by leaving the likes of mealworms, suet, fruit or peanut hearts out on a flat surface. A clean bowl of water won't go amiss either.
Robins are opportunists and will follow gardeners round in the hope of finding food.
Threats to robins
One of the biggest threats to robins is a cold winter night. These small birds can lose up to 10% of their body weight just trying to keep warm in freezing weathers. It's vital they replenish their fat reserves, so leaving food in places they're likely to visit when the temperature drops could save their lives.
Other threats to robins are domestic animals such as cats and dogs, and birds of prey including sparrowhawks and owls. Crows, magpies, squirrels, snakes and racoons are all guilty of raiding robin nests to eat eggs and chicks.
Our increasingly fragmented landscape and reduction of woodlands, hedgerows and green spaces also means less suitable habitat.
Are robins endangered?
No, the european robin is classified on the Green List of conservation concern in the UK, meaning their population is stable and sightings are common.
They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to intentionally harm them or damage their active nests.
