American Robin: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Garden Birds · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. With about 370 million birds, the American robin is the most numerous landbird in North America.
2. A female robin builds her nest from grass, twigs, paper and mud, then lays three to five blue-green eggs and incubates them for 14 days.
3. Robins tagged in Alaska travel up to 3.5 times farther each season than their Massachusetts cousins.
4. Only about 25% of young robins survive their first year. The wild record is 14 years, but most live about two.
5. Robins range over about 16 million km², and they breed in woodland, farmland and towns alike.

The quiz

1. How do robins compare with other landbirds in North America?

• They are the rarest
• They are second to sparrows
• They outnumber every other landbird (correct)
• They are as common as eagles

Robins outnumber every other landbird in North America.

2. How long does a female robin incubate her eggs?

• 14 days (correct)
• 2 days
• 40 days
• 60 days

She incubates the eggs for 14 days.

3. How much farther do Alaska robins travel than Massachusetts robins?

• The same distance
• Up to 1.5 times farther
• Up to 10 times farther
• Up to 3.5 times farther (correct)

Alaska robins travel up to 3.5 times farther each season.

4. What share of young robins survive their first year?

• 90%
• 25% (correct)
• 50%
• 5%

Only about 25% of young robins survive their first year.

5. Where do American robins breed?

• In woodland, farmland and towns (correct)
• Only in deep forests
• Only in deserts
• Only on mountain peaks

Robins breed in woodland, farmland and towns alike.

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