'Cheer up, cheer up': Nothing sings spring like a robin (5 photos)

There are many early indicators of spring including longer daylight, running sap, pussy willows, and sprouting bulbs. Nothing, however, sings spring more to the shared collective than the return of the American Robin to our lawns.

This very recognizable thrush is abundant across North America. It is not always migratory, though. Those that do not migrate gather in flocks and eat berries and other fruit left on trees and bushes. In spring, non-migratory robins break from groups and become territorial before mating. The “return” may be a more behaviour change than a geographical one.

In any case, it’s fun to watch robins “hoppin’ and a-boppin” on the ground. They run with purpose for a short while, stop suddenly to straighten up and look around, and continue on their way.

Some of the stops include a snack they spy en route. Audubon.org says American Robins “mostly eat fruits in the fall and winter, and include more insects and worms in their spring and summer diets.” They also eat combos by choosing fruit with bugs in them.

Besides a strong association of robins with earthworms, their nests of 3-5 distinctive blue eggs are familiar to most. Also, photographs of young birds in nests are often of robins. Perhaps this is because they are so common, and not shy to nest close to people.

Robins are not shy in choosing new mates each season. A male’s song is attractive to females, and it is a beautiful early morning sound for the rest of us.

Allaboutbirds.org says, “when pairs are forming in spring, you may see a display in which a male and female approach each other holding their bills wide open and touching them.” They can raise up to three broods in one season. Females generally choose nesting sites.

There are many places for a robin to nest here on the farm. I found it curious last year robins built one in a very tight space above an electrical box, amid dead wires, where I park my car.

Beyond the inconvenience to me as I tried to avoid interrupting the whole process, it meant pretty tight quarters for nestlings who have to juggle their positions to access food. Both parents feed them regurgitated worms, beetles, grubs and some plant material.

Another odd nest placement was the year a robin chose to build atop of an oil tank outside my bedroom window, rather than in the lovely evergreen mere feet away. This actually proved quite convenient to me as I could easily see the eggs and the resulting birds.

In each case, I felt privileged to witness the regeneration of a species.  

Despite the questionable choice of nesting sites, I admire the female’s home building skills. Allaboutbirds.org says, “Females build the nest from the inside out, pressing dead grass and twigs into a cup shape using the wrist of one wing. Other materials include paper, feathers, rootlets, or moss in addition to grass and twigs.”

She reinforces the cup with mud made from worm castings by pressing it in with her body. She then lines it with soft dry grass. Usually, a new nest is built for each brood, although they can be reused.

According to birdsoftheworld.org, robins have various calls, and individuals “invent song elements”. The typical song is described “as a clear carolling cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up.”

The sound and sight of robins each spring is indeed cheering. First sightings are often reported to others as a way to spread that cheer.

I share experiences of bird visitors to this property with readers every couple of weeks. Until next time, keep your eye to the sky, and look for birds that may come by.

Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, a storyteller, and a playwright. She blogs on her website