Robin | Hainault Forest

Robin

Erithacus rubecula

©Raymond Small TQ4792 09/12/2024

Robins with their brightly-coloured breasts and song are easily discernible. They are generally friendly and curious towards humans. Males and females look identical. Males are very aggressive when guarding their territory against intruders. A Robin's diet consists of worms, insects, spiders, fruits and seeds. They sing throughout the year, During the breeding season males normally start their morning song an hour before civil sunrise, the moment when the centre of the Sun is six degrees below the horizon. They usually end their daily singing about half-an-hour after sunset. Nocturnal singing sometimes occurs in urban areas with street lighting where robins choose to sing at night to avoid persistent environmental daytime noise. Because of a high mortality rate the average life expectancy of a Robin is just over one year, but once past the first year life expectancy significantly improves. Reputed to be the UK's favourite bird.

TQ4792 12/06/2024 ©Raymond Small