The European robin, also known as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland, is a small insectivorous passerine bird belonging to the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family.

Appearance:

Both male and female European Robins have similar coloration, featuring an orange breast and face with grey lining, brown upper parts, and a whitish belly. Juveniles, however, have a distinct appearance with bold pale buffy spotting on their back and breast. They are commonly found in a wide range of wooded habitats, including forests, gardens, farmland hedges, and heathland, usually near cover. The robin moves with a perky hop on the ground, often pausing to look around while flicking its wings and cocking its tail.

Note: The term "robin" is also used for some birds in other families with red or orange breasts, such as the American robin, a thrush, and the Australasian robins of the family Petroicidae.

Basic Info:

- Scientific Name: Erithacus rubecula
- Lifespan: On average, 13 months
- Size: 4.72-5.51 inches
- Weight: 0.56-0.78 ounces
- Wingspan: 8–8.5 inches

Distribution and Habitat:

The European robin is found in Eurasia, ranging from Western Siberia to Algeria, and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Central Group of the Azores and Madeira. In the southeast, it reaches Iran and the Caucasus range. While Irish and British robins are mostly resident, a small minority, usually females, migrate to southern Europe during winter, with a few venturing as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters.

During winter, the continental European robins that migrate prefer spruce woods in northern Europe, while they favor parks and gardens in Great Britain.

Breeding:

Robins are versatile in choosing nest sites, opting for anything that offers shelter, such as depressions, holes, or manmade objects. They nest in various locations, including sheltered banks, pieces of machinery, barbecues, bicycle handlebars, bristles on upturned brooms, discarded kettles, watering cans, flower pots, and hats. Robins also use manmade nest boxes, with a preference for designs featuring an open front.

Throughout the breeding season, which starts in March in Britain and Ireland, robins may lay two or three clutches of five or six eggs. The eggs are cream, buff, or white, with reddish-brown speckles or blotches, often more concentrated at the larger end.