The European Robin, as I have said before is a well loved and very common bird, known to everyone in the UK.
They are extremely inquisitive and apparently intelligent and are always quick to exploit any feeding opportunity. They are common birds and almost every garden, everywhere in the UK will contain a Robin, and often more than one. However, they are extremely territorial but in the winter can at times have small territories which will allow for more than one individual in quite a small area.
Today with a dullish, wet and frankly dreary day, it didn't appear that there was going to be any chance to get out with the camera. After lunch it did brighten just a little and I noticed that the mealworms that I had been putting out to attract the Robins had disappeared. I re-supplied with fresh mealworms and within minutes we had a visit to take the free offerings. I image that he/she had been observing me all along and as soon as I moved a few feet away, down he came giving me the chance to get some nice well framed and composed portraits of my wife Jenny's favourite bird.
Some interesting facts about the European Robin.
1. Robin means "flame bright" and rubecula is derived from the latin and
means red.
means red.
2. They are sexually monomorphic, that is males and females are identical in
plumage. Young birds are brown with a spotted breast.
plumage. Young birds are brown with a spotted breast.
3. The average life expectancy of a Robin is as short as 1.1 year, but can live to 15.
4. It is a sacred bird in Norse mythology.
5. Ancient British mythology states that the Robin acquired it's red breast from
the blood of Christ
the blood of Christ
dying on the cross.
6. Two English Football Clubs call themselves the Robins, Bristol City and Swindon
Town.
Town.
7. Shakespeare talks of teaching a Goldfinch and a Robin to sing in King Henry Fourth and Robbie
Burns the Scotish Poet talks of the "Marriage of Robin Redbreast and the Wren".
8. Attempts to introduce Robins to to Australia and New Zealand as well as the USA failed.
9. In Wales the Robin was known as "Bron Rhyddun" who scorched his breast whilst trying to quench
the flames of hell.
10. The American Robin is in fact a Thrush and not a Robin, early English settlers named the first bird
they saw with a red breast "Robin"
11. American Robins now migrate as far north as Alaska and there is no Inuit word for Robin. Certain
proof that global warming has affected the migration and natural behaviour of wildlife.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden 
Leave a comment