American Robin (Nestlings)
Turdus migratorius · Bird. Vertebrate. Warm-blooded. Wild.
Animal Family
Turdidae, order Passeriformes, class Aves
Animal Category
Songbird / Wild Prey
Breed / Variety
Eastern American Robin (Turdus migratorius migratorius) - typical of the subspecies found in North American residential areas.
Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern. Population: Stable/Increasing.
About This Creature
Altricial nestlings featuring pinkish-grey skin, patches of grey downy feathers, and large, bright yellow-orange gapes (mouth interiors).
Physical Characteristics
Small, underdeveloped bodies with closed or partially open eyes; characteristic 'gaping' behavior with wide orange beaks to signal hunger; developing wing feathers; translucent skin over belly.
Behavior & Temperament
Altricial (completely dependent on parents); show 'gaping' reflex in response to vibrations at the nest; social within the clutch; vocalize with high-pitched chirps for food.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Native to North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada to Florida and Mexico.
Habitat
Urban/Suburban gardens, forests, and grasslands. Arboreal/Aerial, nesting in shrubs and hanging planters.
Diet & Nutrition
Omnivorous (as adults); nestlings are strictly insectivorous/carnivorous fed by parents via regurgitation of earthworms and soft-bodied insects.
Lifespan & Health
Average lifespan 2 years in wild; 12-14 day incubation; nestlings fledge in about 13-15 days; high mortality rate due to residential predators like outdoor cats.
Special Characteristics
Cultural icon of spring; known for deep cup-shaped nests reinforced with mud; parents exhibit aggressive 'mobbing' defense against predators near the nest.
Ecological Information
Secondary consumers; act as natural pest control by consuming beetles and grubs; provide food for urban predators like hawks and snakes; seed dispersers.