Young Robin

Good evening all,

We have a resident young robin in our garden but we are a little worried about him,  he has his red breast now so not too young,  but hes always puffed up so not sure if hes got mites,  up close he look like he has a hunch back ,  be looks so sad always, and he isn't very good at flying a bit too flappy ,  we've named him alan,  alan eats and drinks all day well enough but he just sits around watching the world go by him,    we dont want him to get hurt and he is safe in our garden but hes really quiet and sad looking,    any advise on how we can help alan is greatfully recieved , thanks 

  • Hi Sazzle and welcome to the community forum.       No need to worry about the young robin (Alan)  as it sounds like it is all natural behaviour and it is doing what is called "sunning" ;     in this weather they will cool off by fluffing up to allow air in between their feathers and you may see it with its beak open which also allows it to cool off too during the hot weather.     It may look strange but completely natural;    you can read more about sunning HERE.        I have also added a couple of photos here for you of robins (one is juvenile) in our last garden all puffed up and sunning.         they hunch their back to expose a preening glad at the base of their tail;    the oil they use to place amongst their feathers which helps rid them of feather parasites,

    this is probably similar to your robin .....  just getting a red breast            This bird is also trying to cool off by fluffing out its plumage.

    so enjoy watching your young robin carrying out all its natural behaviour actions but if they are "sunning"  then its best to keep a distance so they can stay relaxed to carry out this essential task.          

  • Hi hazle
    Thanks for you reply , we get about 6 lots of fledgling robins a year we are quite lucky , im probably just been paranoid i will take a photo when i finish work if you dont .ind having a look just for piece of mind as something just doesnt feel right about alan, thank you
  • Hi Sazzle,   it would be better with a photo if you think the robin is not right and someone will advise you;    HERE'S A LINK to help you upload photos in case you are not sure.    

  • Hes in this puffed up state all the time  so dont think hes sunning, from sun rise to sun set. Thanks for any advise

  • Hi Sazzle, welcome to the community from Caithness at the very top of,Scotland. Alan does look rather rounded and fluffed up! The picture of him on the ground could be a sunning pose but the others? Hazel will see this and give her advice I am sure.

    If you want you can edit a post and keep adding your picture to the one post rather that add them all separately. Just hit more, then edit, and add in the box.
  • Thank you from sunny yorkshire he is all fluffed all the time, the fact he eats well and drinks plenty is the only reassurance thanks
  • Hi Sazzle, thanks for uploading photos; to be honest it is difficult to say for sure looking at the photos, especially the one of it on the edge of the bird bath but if it can eat and drink ok with no difficulty swallowing then chances are it will be fine. It will keep cool during hot weather by using the bird-bath you have and by opening its beak which is another way of cooling off. There can be lots of reasons a bird appears unwell but if its eating and drinking then I would continue to observe the robin for now. When you mentioned hunching its back that can be a typical posture when sunning but if it is fluffed up all the time then it may be unwell. Ensure the water in your bird bath is replaced with fresh water every day but not too deep and that any feeders and food dishes are cleaned frequently. Fingers crossed the robin will continue to eat and drink without a problem.
  • Thanks, we are big bird lovers and get loads of visitors every day so worry about alan hopefully he will flourish, we have anout 10 feeders filled and cleaned daily and cat bowls on the ground and stone walls wiyth water in refilled daily , thanks for looking kind regards sarah