European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Robins are famously territorial; they have been known to attack their own reflection or even a bundle of red feathers thinking it is a rival.
- Scientific name
- Erithacus rubecula
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Muscicapidae › Erithacus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Woodlands, hedgerows, gardens, and parks.
- Diet
- Invertebrates (earthworms, beetles), seeds, and soft fruits.
- Range
- Europe, Western Siberia, North Africa, Azores, Madeira
- Size
- 12-14 cm length; 16-22 g weight
- Lifespan
- 2-3 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Predation by domestic cats, window collisions, and severe winter weather.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds are often curious and may approach humans, especially if soil is being turned over. Observe from a distance; if they appear stressed or stop feeding, move back.
The European robin ( Erithacus rubecula ), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in the British Isles, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically a chat, that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher. About 12.5–14.0 cm (5.0–5.5 inch) in length, the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts and a whitish belly....
Photo: Arjan Haverkamp, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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