European Robin - Erithacus rubecula

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Order : Passeriformes

Family : Turdidae ;

Biometrics :

Size : 14 cm
Wingspan : 20 à 22 cm
Weight : 16 à 22 g

Longevity : 15 years

IUCN conservation status :

Extinct

Threatened

Least
concern

Extinc
in the Wild

Near
threatened

Not
evaluated

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

Geographic range :

Synonyms : Rödhake (sv), Petirrojo (es), Pettirosso (it), Rotkehlchen (al), Roodborst (nl), European Robin (en)

Physical description :
European Robin is easily identified by its reddish-orange face and breast, contrasting with whitish lower underparts. Upperparts are olive brown, as wings and tail.
Conical bill is dark brown with pale base. Eyes are black. Thin legs and feet are pale brown.
Both sexes are similar.
Juvenile has underparts heavily spotted with brown. Until first moult, it lacks reddish patch on face and breast.

Voice :
Sound from CD 'Tous les Oiseaux d'Europe' by Jean C. Roché by courtesy of Sittelle and CEBA. European Robin typical call is a sharp 'tic' repeated and uttered in short series. It also gives a plaintive squeaked 'seeeh' of anxiety when alarmed.
Birds migrating at night utter a weak 'tseei'.
Its song is a rippling series of thin, sweet and clear warbling phrases and short trills, with abrupt halts. During fall, song is softer.

Habitat : European Robin lives in natural woodlands, hedgerows, parks and gardens. They are also found in various forms of scrubby cover in more open country.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE: European Robin lives in Europe and Great Britain. Birds of northern parts of the habitat migrate southwards in winter. We can find it in Northern Africa and to West Siberia and Iran.
Females move a short distance from nesting site to a nearly territory for winter feeding. Males keep the same all year round.

Behaviour : European Robin sings mainly to attract female and marks its territory, rather early morning from an exposed perch. Sometimes, it may sing in the middle of the night if it is close to a bright light. European Robin sings year round, except in late summer when moulting. Autumn song is quieter and less forceful than in spring.
When on the ground, European Robin adopts erect posture. It flutters wings and tail. It flies from a low perch to other while flitting. When alarmed, it bobs and raises its tail.
It is often seen near human areas, frequently tames, taking worms from recently-dug earth, and sometimes entering houses.
Both sexes defend territory all year round. They are aggressive birds, and fights between males can be extremely vicious, and may even to be to the death.
They are highly territorial, displaying their red breasts vigorously to any intruders, and even chasing off large birds from their winter territories. European Robin may attack its own reflection, seeing red feathers. It ruffles is feathers and drops its wings.
Fight begins by striking the intruder single blows with feet and wings, or bowling it off its perch. Then, both opponents begin rolling over and over on the ground, and fluttering in front of each other, striking with legs. Each bird tries to pin its rival to the ground. Fights may last one minute to an hour, even much more.
European Robin is monogamous. When pair is formed, male brings food to female as courtship feeding.

Flight : European Robin flies low, flitting and jerking into cover.

Reproduction-nesting : When pair is formed, female builds the nest, concealing it in dense vegetation. It is a domed structure, made with leaves, moss and feathers, and lined with rootlets and hair.
European Robin nests in various places, such as ledges inside porches and sheds, also in nest boxes, and even in cans, pots and any place where it may build its nest.
They breed from April to June, sometimes as soon as January.
Female lays 5 to 7 eggs. Incubation lasts about 11 to 14 days, by female, fed by the male three times per hour. Altricial chicks are fed and raised by both adults.
Young fledge at about 12 to 15 days after hatching, and become independent when they are three weeks old. They reach their sexual maturity at one year.
This species produces 2 to 3 broods per year. When female begins the next clutch, male continues to feed and protect young of previous brood.

Food habits : European Robin feeds mainly on insects and spiders, but it also consumes berries and seeds during cold winters. It may frequent bird feeders in winter.

Protection / threats : European Robins' populations are not threatened, and numbers have increased by about 20% over the last 25 years. It is widespread and numerous in most of Europe.

Other links :
Iucn
Birdlife

Specification sheet created by Nicole Bouglouan

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