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
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Regards
Benji
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
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.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
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.