Backyard Robins
I spent a lot of the winter months watching songbirds outside of my kitchen window, but now that I've run out of birdseed I'm not seeing them as much. The robins have been back in my yard again though, and I've started to get to know them a little better instead! There are a few that I've been able to identify as regular visitors because of some unique markings. My favorite one is paler in color overall, and has very prominent white markings around its eyes, almost like it got overzealous with some eyeliner. Another one I've noticed is darker in color, with a much more black than grey head, and a more saturated rust colored belly. This one seems to have what I can only describe as a "derpy" look to it, much less sophisticated than the one that goes heavy on the white eyeliner.
I began to notice over the last week that my "derpy" robin seemed to be gaining some weight, it was a bit fluffier than I recalled at first. Did this mean that it was a female, perhaps pregnant? After researching the differences between male and female American robins, I learned that the males tend to be darker and more saturated in color than the more muted females (which makes sense), so most likely "derpy" is a male. Maybe he's just been getting a few more worms and grubs in this warmer weather?
I also observed another Robin trying its hardest to perform the fruitless act of removing a hanging string from a trellis I have up for sweet peas. I figured this bird was trying its hardest to build a nest and felt this was the perfect addition. It was a little amusing to watch it persistently pull at that never loosening string, but I do feel bad it labored so hard for no reward!
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I am interested to learn that the male Robins tend to be darker and more full in color than their female counterparts. I have heard of this being the case for other species as well. In fact, just recently I put up a stand alone bird feeder at my house and my first visitors were two Cardinals! I did not realize that both of them were Cardinals, as one was smaller and more of a light grey color. I read that male Cardinals are the vibrant red we all picture but that the females do not share that same appearance.
I love this observation. It sounds like the female may be a little leusistic, meaning she has less melanin than the others with being whitish. The females will appear heavier when they are heavy with eggs and pretty soon she will have to lay them otherwise the extra weight will make it harder for her to fly.
Another great way to tell if she has a nest is if you re able to get close enough you may notice a spot on her chest that appears to have less feathers. That is called a brood patch and the bare skin will help the mother warm the eggs better because of the direct contact between her skin and the eggs.
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