Friends have identified several small birds, seen sitting in and flying from a hole in our hedge, as juvenile robins. A male robin was seen in the same hole in the hedge as the juveniles. Can robins breed this early?
If you are in mainland UK. I doubt that they are young Robins this early but I suppose not impossible. Young Robins do not look like their parents so your friends may be mistaken
I always understood the only clear way to sex a robin was at courtship, where the male feeds the female, I'm happy to be corrected.
Wendy S said:Mike I presume that ringers can sex Robins when they have them in the hand but for the average birder in the field I have always thought it was pretty near impossible without maybe spotting them mating
I believe one way to distinguish is the amount of grey plumage, males are supposed to be greyer (grey hairs, I know that scenario well, and baldness followed, the stresses of family life ) at the lower part of the red breast, that could be one way they are able to sex robins, but seeing the difference whilst looking in the garden I find impossible, even with a pair close to each other.
Another may be while ringing, they will have a clear view of the underside, but I'm wildly guessing.
If there is someone who can help, I'd certainly welcome the feedback.