We have a Robin that has been coming into our house for the past 12 months along with another Robin in the past 7 months or more. Recently, the newer Robin has not been seen sadly but our little one still comes in for food around 10 times per day. Yesterday we noticed she is not flying but just hopping around the drive (not too unusual) but I can get within 2 or 3 inches of her and she seems to not really panic or try to fly off. She has never been skittish but this worries me as she seems very subdued. We found her out and about last night at 10pm when she is usually in bed much earlier. We thought that maybe light pollution due to neighbouring Christmas lights was the cause but she has been sleeping in the same spot under a bush (on the floor) for about 8 hours now and not really moving too much. I have read that ground sleeping isn’t unusual for them and this might be a good thing but, for various reasons, this little Robin is more important to us than might be appreciated by non-birders and I would give anything to make her safe. Does this sound like I should be worried? We were concerned initially that she simply doesn’t seem to want to fly and she does start to ruffle her wings but then either can’t or just stops.
Not sure how you are sexing or differentiating one robin from another. However, it is highly likely you're seeing lots of different robins. Many appear very tame. We have several that keep getting inside (house and garage). Several get within touching distance in the garden. Robins are also often active at night. Realistically, only two birds from a whole breeding season last from one year to the next. If more, the population increases, if less, it decreases......there's a fair chance neither adult survives til the next breeding season, and two young do survive. That is nature.
Thanks for the supremely less than helpful and distinctly condescending answer here - hope this is not representative of most bird lovers. we have (perhaps incorrectly) sexed by the fact that this particular robin nested in a window box that we have an sat on the nest in sight of us until all chicks hatched. How do we know it’s the same robin? Partly because I’m not an absolute idiot who is able to differentiate both physical and habitual attributes. Perhaps you are unable to do this and think all small birds are the same? Unsure as it’s clear you are of little use in coming up with a reasonable answer but please - continue to push your thoughts on other threads :)
Neither you, nor anyone else, will be able to sex a robin hiding under a bush whilst out at night. Neither you, nor anyone else, will be able to recognise a robin face in a nest with a robin face in a garden 6 months later. It is highly likely you're seeing lots of different robins. Many appear very tame. We have several that keep getting inside (house and garage). Several get within touching distance in the garden. Robins are also often active at night. Realistically, only two birds from a whole breeding season last from one year to the next. If more, the population increases, if less, it decreases......there's a fair chance neither adult survives til the next breeding season, and two young do survive. That is nature. Facts can be tough.