Bird guide · Turdus migratorius
American Robin
What the American robin eats, where it lives, when it comes to feeders and how to recognise it – with sightings from every US state.
- Season
- Partial migrant
- Size
- 10 in (25 cm)
- Eats
- mealworms, fruit
- Feeds
- ground, tray/platform
- Most common
- Nebraska, Wyoming, Illinois
Food
What do American robins eat?
At feeders, American robins take mealworms, fruit.
Runs and pauses on open lawns; in fall and winter gathers in roaming flocks at food sources.
Feeder that suits it
A tray with chopped fruit, berries or mealworms.
Range
Where do American robins live?
Across most of North America; some winter as far north as Canada in local concentrations. By share of all bird sightings, American robins are most common in Nebraska (4.0%).
States where American robins are most common
- Nebraska4.0%
- Wyoming3.7%
- Illinois3.6%
- Pennsylvania3.5%
- Kentucky3.4%
- South Dakota3.4%
- Vermont3.3%
- Idaho3.3%
- Ohio3.3%
- Montana3.3%
Share of all bird sightings in each state that are American robins, 2019–2024.
Season
Does the American robin migrate?
Partial migrant. Across the US it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in June.
Share of all bird sightings in the US that are American robins, by month.
Identification
How to identify the American robin
Male: Brick-red chest, grey back, white eye spots.
Female: Paler than male.
Young birds: Spotted below.
Size: 10 in (25 cm)
On camera
Getting the American robin on a feeder camera
Use a camera feeder with an open tray for fruit and mealworms; many fruit eaters ignore seed.
Questions
American Robin: questions
What do American robins eat?
At feeders, mealworms, fruit.
Do American robins migrate?
Partial migrant. Across the US it is reported in every month; its share of bird sightings is highest in June.
Where do American robins live?
By share of all bird sightings, they are most common in Nebraska, Wyoming, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kentucky. They are rare or absent in Hawaii.
What does a female American robin look like?
Paler than male.
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