As you can tell, we have a bit of an obsession with robins here at Really Wild Bird Food. Our robin mascot can be seen throughout our website and across our social media, bringing a touch of cheer to every page!
Year after year, robins have been voted the UK's favourite bird, but surely that comes as no surprise. Who doesn't love robins? When you see or hear a robin redbreast (particularly during winter) it fills you with a sense of pure joy.
Robin Birdsong
If there's one thing that robins are famous for, it's their beautiful birdsong. Robins are one of only a few UK birds that can be heard singing all year round. What seems like a charming symphony to us holds much more significance for them. Robins sing all year round to 'mark' and hold their territories.
You might not have noticed, but robins birdsong sounds different depending on the season. The song they sing during autumn is not as vibrant as the song they sing in summer. That being said, you'll still find them singing all day long. Robins are amongst the first birds to start singing at dawn and the last birds to stop singing at night. (We're not complaining, we love to hear them!)
What do robins eat?
Like most birds, robins sometimes need a helping hand during the colder months to keep their calorie intake high. Although you may be used to seeing robins up in the trees, they actually prefer to forage for food on the ground. We supply a wide range of ground feeders so that you can put out an array of food for the robins at a height that they'll appreciate!
In terms of what to feed robins, there are very few things that they won't eat. They'll happily feast on worms, seeds, insects and fruits.
However, if you want to serve your robins the very best, we strongly recommend our Deluxe Robin Crumble™. It's packed with the robin's favourite foods - including mealworms, suet pellets, tasty home-grown seeds.
Buy Robin Food >
Where do robins nest?
The nests of most robins are found quite low to the ground in small, secluded areas. Robins like their nests to be completely secluded and undetectable to predators. If you'd like to give the robins a helping hand in this department too, we offer a range of robin nest boxes that they'll be able to snuggle up in. They are best placed in concealed areas, for example, within the foliage of a bush or tree.
Buy this Robin Nester >
When and how do robins breed?
In a mild winter, robins might use their nests to start courtship as early as January, so getting a nestbox installed now is not a bad idea. Did you know that, as part of their courtship, male robins will supply their female partner with lots of food (the dream!). Male robins gather and gift up to a third of their female's food during the breeding season.
The amount of food the robin receives directly impacts the number of eggs she lays. Typically, a female robin will lay 4-6 eggs during a single lay. When the eggs are laid, the robins become very protective of their nests! Any kind of disturbance can drive them away - that's why it's important you put your chosen nest box in a quiet and secluded area of the garden.
What's the life expectancy of robins?
The life expectancy of robins is a little over a year, a few years at most. But as with all species, there are a lucky few who have survived far longer than expected. The oldest robin on record was 19 years old! For their first year of life, they are the most vulnerable. Once they've made it past the one-year milestone they have a much better chance of survival.
Why are robins so tame?
Robins are widely known for being tame, so people often ask - why are robins so friendly? Well, there are a few possible reasons why robin redbreasts have become so confident co-existing beside us in our modern world. First of all, robins are very curious birds. They're always on the lookout for new places to find food, so they don't have a problem with venturing into unknown territory.
Some robins have been seen following gardeners as they work around the garden. Why on earth would they be doing that? It's quite clever really. As gardeners dig the earth, it loosens up tasty treats (like worms) making them much easier to eat.
Finally, here in the UK we stopped hunting and eating small wild birds (like robins) a long time ago. Therefore, robins don't feel threatened by us and feel safe enough to get close to us. The same, unfortunately, can't be said for other European countries where small birds were hunted for much longer. This means European robins are not quite as tame as our British robins.
Why are robins associated with Christmas?
For as long as we can remember, robin redbreasts have been associated with Christmas, but where did this tradition come from? Well, it all started in Victorian Britain when postmen were nicknamed 'robins' for their brightly coloured red coats.
The robin redbreast became associated with Christmas because the postmen would be seen in their red coats delivering Christmas cards and presents to homes up and down the country. Eventually the nickname 'robin' was replaced with images of our favourite bird delivering cards and gifts. The idea caught on and robin redbreasts have been associated with Christmas ever since!
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Of course, the delightful red colour of their breast is also fantastically festive. It almost looks as if they're wearing tiny Christmas jumpers! When you see a robin perched on a fern tree or holly branch, you can't ignore the feeling that Christmas is on the way.
Here at Really Wild Bird Food, we love robin redbreasts. Are they one of your favourite birds? If you have any questions about feeding or caring for robins in your garden this winter, feel free to drop us an email - sales@reallywildbirdfood.co.uk.
