Owner Comments:
Well, it’s been a long time coming, but here at the beginning of May 2018, spring seems to have finally come to my little corner of New York State. As such, it’s a great time to present a modern dinosaur that is a harbinger of spring to many of us in North America: the American Robin, species name Turdus migratorius.
American Robins range from 9.1 to 11.0 inches in length with a wingspan of 12 to 16 inches and a weight range of 2.2 to 3.5 ounces. There is sexual dimorphism among American Robins. While males and females are virtually identical in size, females tend to be paler in color than males. As for that coloration, the coin itself shows a wonderful colorized image of a male American Robin. For a female, just picture that coloration, but paler. Geographically, American Robins are year-round residents of most of the continental United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico, with that range expanding into most of the rest of Canada during their breeding season and into southern Mexico during the winter. There are seven recognized subspecies of the American Robin.
American Robins face many predators and dangers. Eggs and nestlings are preyed upon by squirrels, snakes, Blue Jays, American Crows and Common Ravens. Adults are vulnerable to predation by cats and larger snakes but, by far, the most prolific predators of adult American Robins are raptors. American Robins may be taken by any North American raptor, from the small but mighty Peregrine Falcon up to the massive and powerful Golden Eagle.
Unlike many other theropods, American Robins do not mate for life. Instead, they choose a new mate every breeding season. Breeding season is one of the most dangerous time for adult American Robins as many of those that are killed by raptors are taken by surprise when distracted by breeding behaviors. American Robins are one of the first North American birds to begin breeding, with their breeding season lasting from April to July. The nest is mainly constructed by the female with materials brought to her by the male. These materials can include vegetation, feathers and paper which are often coated with mud. The nest is constructed from 4 to 15 feet above the ground, typically in a bush, the fork of a tree or a high platform. 3 to 5 light blue eggs are typically produced and they are incubated solely by the female. After about 14 days, the eggs hatch and the young are born naked and helpless. At this point, the male becomes involved again, working with the female to feed the young and keep the nest clean. Both parents will fiercely and violently defend the nest and young by diving at and attacking any potential predators. The young fledge about 14 days after hatching and are capable of sustained flight 14 days after that. Even after leaving the nest, the young Robins will beg their parents for food for a couple of weeks longer. The longest known lifespan for an American Robin was 14 years, but heavy predation typically lowers that life expectancy to between two and five years.
So, there’s the American Robin. Happy Spring Everyone!!!