Erithacus rubecula
The Robin is the UK’s current favourite bird and is associated with Christmas.
Their worldwide distribution is quite extensive including Europe, east to western Siberia and south to North Africa.
It’s been called the Robin Redbreast since the 15th century.
There are approximately 6 million pairs in the UK.
The average life expectancy is just over a year. However, the oldest recorded bird was a positively elderly 12 years old!
They are highly territorial and would not think twice about attacking intruders be it other Robins or even birds of other species.
Robins sing all year around with both sexes singing outside of the breeding season. Their autumnal song sounds slightly more melancholic.
The Robins in Britain are very confiding unlike the birds on the continent that are essentially still woodland birds.
A small minority of British Robins migrate to southern Europe every winter. Scandinavian and Russian birds travel to the UK and Western Europe to escape the harsh winters in their natal ranges.
The male and female are indistinguishable to our eyes and the juvenile’s plumage is finely spotted golden brown with no red bib.
They will sing at night in urban areas by street lights.