Robins from around the world

RSPB Scotland’s Molly Martin highlights just some of the amazing robins to be found around the world. 

Robins from around the world 

Robins and Christmas have long gone hand in hand - some versions of the nativity have the robin play an important role!  

These days robins can be found on Christmas cards, jumpers, decorations, in songs and carols and especially our own gardens! One of the reasons robins are synonymous with Christmas to many is the large numbers of European robins that visit over winter. This population added to our native birds who stay in the UK means the chance of having a robin in your garden at Christmas is very high!  

However, did you know there are different species of robin found all over the world? Here’s an introduction to just a few… 

 robin perched on a branch

American robin 

This robin from across the pond is a relative of the thrush family named after the European robin as it too has a bright red breast. This hardy bird is found from Canada down to Mexico, and famously (and erroneously!) featured in the original Mary Poppins film in place of a native London bird.  

american robin on ground
Credit: Becky Matsubara, Flickr

Oriental magpie-robin 

This bird is more closely related to our European robin (both are Old World flycatchers)and found across India and Southeast Asia. Oriental magpie-robins look like you might expect- a cross between a magpie and a robin! They’re black and white, have a very recognisable song, and are common garden birds in tropical southern Asia. They’re also the national bird of Bangladesh.  

Cape robin 

This is one of the species of robin found in Africa. The cape robin has a range from South Sudan to South Africa. It has similar colouring to the European robin, with a grey/brown body and orangey-red chest but has a very distinct white eyebrow. Like the European robin, they are highly territorial, and will adopt a garden and keep watch over it. 

Flame robin 

flame robin perched on branch
Credit: Dominic Sherony, Flickr

This is one species of Australasian robins, all of which have bright colours and names to match (rose robin, pink robin, scarlet robin, yellow robin). The flame robin has a striking black, white and grey body, and vibrant orange breast! Flame robins are said to have the most musical of songs from robins on this continent. There are at least 15 Australasian robin species, well worth looking up pictures of them all! 

What’s your favourite robin? Tell us in the comments! 

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