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.
Hi Frazer, I agree that it is probably the same Robin coming in your house each day. I have one that I go to feed in a specific part of the forest that flies over to me when she sees me from up to 20m away. I know it's her from her behaviour and I assume it's the same for you.
I know how you feel as we connect with these beautiful little birds. I'm not sure if there is anything you can do but try provide food, water and perhaps put up some Robin nest material for her to roost in during winter? Perhaps the recent fireworks have made her feel subdued or the loss of her friend. Does she get close enough for you to take a photograph or see if there are any visible injuries ?
I have just heard that the council are cutting down all of the holly and thistle where my Robin lives. I know how you feel worrying for them when you've built a special connection as I'm devastated and worried for her.
I hope your Robin gets better soon.
An average lifespan of a Robin is only on average 2 years. So iff anyone says that the Robin is the same bird year after year is most likely wrong! That’s nature Small birds on average don’t survive as much as larger type of birds!
Regards,
Ian.
Dani May said:Hi Frazer, I agree that it is probably the same Robin coming in your house each day. I have one that I go to feed in a specific part of the forest that flies over to me when she sees me from up to 20m away. I know it's her from her behaviour and I assume it's the same for you. I know how you feel as we connect with these beautiful little birds. I'm not sure if there is anything you can do but try provide food, water and perhaps put up some Robin nest material for her to roost in during winter? Perhaps the recent fireworks have made her feel subdued or the loss of her friend. Does she get close enough for you to take a photograph or see if there are any visible injuries ? I have just heard that the council are cutting down all of the holly and thistle where my Robin lives. I know how you feel worrying for them when you've built a special connection as I'm devastated and worried for her. I hope your Robin gets better soon.
Which “Forest”? Which council? Over what timescale have you been feeding a robin? What fireworks were you hearing just after Christmas?
Yes it's an average but they can live longer also. OP said they have been feeding this Robin for one year which is completely realistic. Tony Putman had a Robin he fed for over 3 years which is widely published. I don't understand why the responses to OP are so negative...must be January blues.
Editing to add that ringing shows that there are Robins who have lived up to 14 years. It's just the average is 13 months.
What does it matter to you lol? You seem like a very negative person so I doubt I would want to give you insight into where I live.
Facts.
1) As written previously, it takes two birds from each breeding season to breed the next season to be self sustaining, population wise. If both adults and some young remain alive to breed the next year, the population average would go up and if no young survived to breed, the population would either remain stable if both adults survived, or drop if one or both died. It is possible for adult robins to remain alive for a number of years. That is of course fact. What isn't, is being able to identify an individual under a bush in the dark as being the same as an individual that bred 6 months earlier. Simply impossible. Fact.
2) I live around the corner from the council leader here. I can have a word if you are in the same council area. You stated, "I have just heard that the council are cutting down all of the holly and thistle where my Robin lives" and that you feed 'your robin, "in a specific part of the forest". Odd that a council would spend tax payer money acting as forestry management. Also intrigued to know which forest has holly and thistle needing council intervention as they have different habitat preferences.
3) You too decided to know the sex of your robin. A mystery again as to how you got to that, and how you've accepted the original poster knew theirs.
4) You appear to know the existence of ringing, and have used it to prove your point re lifespan. It would be helpful if you could now explain why leg rings are used, as apparently robins can be identified by looks and behaviour. Surely leg rings are totally unnecessary for people who are studying them?
I am negative on here because, for whatever reason, people want to take offence when facts get in the way of their stories.
I would like to ask as well, not to you. But if that member who has claimed these thing. Can they tell me the difference between a female and a male Robin?