Turdus migratorius

Family: Turdidae

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a medium-sized songbird of lawns, parks, and woodlands, recognized by its orange-red breast, gray upperparts, and cheerful song. In the field it is often noticed as a quick movement across a lawn or a pause on a branch before it becomes still enough for its face, eye, and breast to stand out.

For representative images and visual context, see the page: American Robin in the Gallery section.

Description

Turdus migratorius is recognized by:

A distinctive orange-red breast
Gray upperparts
A cheerful, melodious song
A medium size (about 9 inches long)
A dark eye stripe
A white eye ring

The overall impression is of a bright-breasted, gray-backed songbird with a lively presence in lawns and woodlands.

Habitat and Range

Typical habitats include:

Lawns, parks, and suburban areas
Open woodlands and forest edges
Agricultural fields and orchards Notes may include:
In Minnesota, American Robins are common and widespread, especially in spring and summer when they are most active and visible
They are present year-round but may be less visible in winter when they often move to more sheltered areas or form flocks
They are often associated with open grassy areas for foraging and trees or shrubs for nesting

Identification

Key features for field diagnosis:

Shape: medium-sized songbird with a rounded body, long legs, and a straight bill
Color: bright orange-red breast, gray upperparts, and a white eye ring
Song: a cheerful, melodious series of phrases often described as “cheerily cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up”
Behavior: often seen hopping on lawns in search of worms, or perched in trees singing; may also be observed foraging for berries and insects