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Robins territorial with parents?

Westcott
28/08/2022 20:23

Hello all


At the height of the breeding season there was a Robin couple with some chicks in nest in my garden, and the male used to wait for me every morning on the kitchen window ledge for some mealworms. This allowed me a nice close up view through the glass and I noticed a distinctive black spot on his fur, underneath one of his eyes

All good, at one stage he was feeding 3 juveniles which I saw and had a busy time. Only 1 one of the juveniles remained and I over time I saw his beautiful smooth orange breast appearing, eventually I noticed the Dad chasing him a few times which I thought was some sort of parental discipline, but most of the time Dad was content for him to be around.

A few weeks later and the dad with his distinctive black spot is very much the junior in the garden. Young robin chases him away and while Dad appears sometimes at my window during the day its only opportunistic.

Is it possible the juvenile is territorial against his own dad and they are in territorial competition as if they weren't related? Or is it likely to be another young Robin moved in and not related to the Dad?

From seeing the dad so vigorous and active in April/May to now being quite docile is is very surprising. He seems Ok, fly's away quickly when he needs to I'm just surprise his ceded territory so quickly

  • 31/08/2022 19:23
    Thank you very much ItisRobbo for your comment.

    The male is still around every morning - the one with the black spot. Not on the window ledge, but he's around and flys to the window when I open it every morning. I think he is a bit more hesitant because of the younger, more aggressive Robin around. He did disappear for a few days at a time back in June/early July which I may be when he was moulting, but it was never for long(prehaps I spoiled him with the mealworms!)

    Thanks for your confirmation that robins will defend their territory against anything, incl offspring. Although you are correct I'll never really know if the younger, more aggressive robin is infact his offspring.

    Today they both seemed to co-exist, albeit from different sides of the garden (about 30ft). Last week the younger one would have charged towards the older at first sight, definite change in behaviour prehaps temporary. Ironically, the younger one doesnt come right up to me like the older one does looking for forward - trust isnt there yet.

    (as you can see I'm fascinated by robin behaviour! Very distracting when I'm supposed to be working from home!)