Bird Gallery Index

American Robin (Eastern subspecies) image © Robert McFarlane

Family:  (Turdidae) Thrushes

Preferred Habitat:  Woodlands and suburbs, often close to water.

Seasonal Occurrence:  Abundant December through March. Lesser numbers are found other times of the year. Southern subspecies breeds in our area.

Notes:   As a rule thrushes are shy and retiring, and usually found in single or small numbers. Not so with the American Robin! In winter they may be startling abundant. Robins prefer mature trees interspersed with open areas. Parks make ideal habitat. Males generally have darker heads than females. Immatures are very unlike their parents with heavily spotted breasts. Robins forage for invertebrates and worms primarily on the ground and therefore are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning. They also eat fruit and berries.

American Robin (Southern subspecies) image © Greg Lavaty

American Robins are divided into two subspecies. The Eastern American Robin, Turdus migratorius migratorius, is our common winter migrant. The Southern American Robin, Turdus migratorius achrusterus, is a permanent nesting resident. It is far less common. According to Oberholser, compared with the Eastern American Robin, the Southern subspecies is slightly smaller, duller and paler. The black feathers of the head (pileum) plumage are mixed with gray. Back feathers have a brownish cast. These marks are clearly shown in Greg Lavaty's photo which was taken at Quintana in July of 2006.

The Houston Bird Survey has more information and a distribution map for the American Robin.
- Susan Billetdeaux