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Introduction
The American Robin is also known as Turdus migratorius is a medium-sized migratory songbird that belongs to the thrush genus. Its geographic spans the entire North American continent, but it commonly seen in northern Nearctic regions, particularly for breeding. It is carnivorous and highly adaptable. The bird is one of the most recognizable on the continent with its distinguishable bright orange breast. For both regular people and ornithologists, the American robin is the recognizable sight across the lawns of American homes and perched on trees across towns in America, providing symbolic significance to its common name.
The American robin is an interesting species which chooses to breed in Northern localities that has impacts on its behaviors and reproductive cycles discussed later. However, the American robin is quite common in the United States making it popular among bird watchers and ornithologists. The presence of the American bird throughout American regions ranging from the South to Northwest Pacific makes for unique study of changing behaviors based on the locale. It is also seen in urban areas allowing for easy observation. Some of these unique aspects that differentiate the American Robin will be highlighted in this paper.
Description
The most distinguishing physical characteristic of the American robin is its orange-reddish chest. It is considered a medium sized bird, but they are quite large for songbirds and the largest of American thrushes. Robins have a round body with long legs and a long tail. The differences between males and females are difficult to spot without closer examination but females are paler in color, so are younger birds. Colors can vary in tone depending on the region and subspecies of the American Robin.
Life Cycle
The eggs of the American robin are unique, well-known for their robin egg blue color. This is due to the pigmentation of the hemoglobin from ruptured blood cells in the mother robin. The female incubates the eggs for about 50 minutes of the hour for an approximate 14-day timeline. Nests are usually complete before the female begins to lay eggs. The first nesting produces 3-4 eggs, with subsequent nesting are at about 2 eggs. Eggs are commonly hunted by predators as well as the vulnerable females incubating them.
When born, the baby robins are naked and exposed. They are fed by females. It is important to note that males do not have brood pouches, so they cannot incubate the eggs but both males and females actively protect and feed the chick. The survivability rate of robins is low at 25% reaching the end of their first year, with the whole population turning over every 6 years on average. Once leaving the nest after 2 weeks, the bird reaches reproductive maturity by age 1, and commonly live to be 2 years old.
Reproduction
The mating process in American robins is complex with male robins having to initially conduct a series of activities such as finding a nesting ground and attract females with their birdsong. Females are picky, evaluating the nest based on colors and locations. Females later help with completing nest before breeding. The female must gain weight to be attractive to males and reproduction, and the male may feed her before they finally form a seasonal monogamous bond to raise offspring.
The breeding process for the American robin resembles the one for most birds. Males are tasked with protection and feeding the mother while eggs are incubated. This is vital since males do not have a brooding pouch and the eggs are lost in the wild if the female dies. Since robins can have up to 3 nesting, their breeding starts early in the year. Regionally reproductive behaviors can vary depending on when the breeding season starts to whether the pairs will accept brood eggs from brood parasites.
American robins do not migrate South during winters in large amounts unlike other birds. Adapting to their environments, particularly subarctic latitudes, the American robin changes reproductive behavior and biology to ensure survivability. This includes shorter incubation periods with an increased success of nesting and bigger clutch sizes in comparison to counterparts breeding in the South. The early breeding of American robins begins in wintertime. Therefore, this adaptability to conditions helps to avoid the mortality pitfalls of short summers and low temperatures at higher latitudes.
Structure and Function
The process of producing and caring for the eggs are vital to the survivability of the species that experiences high rates of predation. Eggs are biologically constructed to be helpful in survival. Shell color changes depending on external conditions. Pigmentation acts as a parasol which affects light transmission. This aids in heat regulation of the egg and can contribute to better incubation as well as development of the chick, ensuring a healthy offspring.
Energy Ecology
American robins are active participants in the local ecological circle of energy, consuming insects and plants while being actively eaten by a variety of predators. American robins are not considered picky, particularly in urban environments where they will eat human food commonly. Robins are known for their foraging behavior of running a few steps and then stopping abruptly to pick something off the ground. They find worms by standing still. Robins maintain a highly balanced omnivorous diet with experts believing they seek out fruit with insects already in them.
Habitat
Staying true to its genus, the thrush American robin finds its habitat in trees and high-density foliage to ensure protection for its nests. American robins are seen equally in both urban and rural areas. It is the reason for popularity of this species that it forages for food in open grassy areas such as lawns and parks. The birds seek to build nests with available water supply and protection from various predators that may hunt hatchlings and adult robins such as squirrels, snakes, cats, and large birds.
It is important to highlight the significant impact of climate change on habitats of bird species, especially with such extensive coverage that the American robin has. Drought and temperature anomalies impact both habitats as well as indirectly the organisms ability to survive, reproduce, and the range shifts for birds. Short-term drought anomalies lead to decrease sightings of the American Robin, particularly in peak breeding seasons, which is highly concerning for the species and the environment. As habitat destruction continues, even adaptable birds such as the American Robin may experience decline.
Interesting Facts
These are some interesting facts about robins. Despite being seen as symbols of spring, most American Robins do not migrate, but hide more often in nests during winter, being less seen. The species maintains a time-based diet of earthworms in mornings and fruit in evenings, sometimes getting intoxicated on honeysuckle berries. The American robin is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin as well as the UK. The song for which the American Robin is known is sung by males, often the last bird heart at sunset.
Conclusion
The American robin is a classic thrush bird that is highly prevalent in many regions of North America. It is adaptable, takes on survivability behaviors, and has high breeding rates that underlies its wide distribution across the continent. Seen both in urban and rural areas, the American robin is omnivorous and builds hidden nests in foliage. They are also known for their clear musical whistling and active interaction with their environment and people. Its iconic look and biological traits and behaviors make it an optimal subject of study in ornithology.
References
Cady, S. M., Oconnell, T. J., Loss, S. R., Jaffe, N. E., & Davis, C. A. (2019). Speciesspecific and temporal scaledependent responses of birds to drought. Global Change Biology, 25(8), 2691-2702. Web.
Carmody, L. C., Cruz, A., & Chace, J. F. (2016). Brood parasitism defense behaviors along an altitudinal gradient in the American robin (Turdus Migratorius). The Open Ornithology Journal, 9(1), 3949.
Dewey, T., & Middlebrook, C. (2001). Turdus migratorius, American robin. Animal Diversity Web. Web.
Duerr, R.S., & Gage, L.J. (Eds.). (2020). Hand-rearing birds (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Lahti, D. C., & Ardia, D. R. (2016). Shedding light on bird egg color: Pigment as parasol and the dark car effect. The American Naturalist, 187(5), 547563.
TheCorenllLab. (n.d.). American robin. Web.
Turner, D. M. E., Nguyen, L. P., & Nol, E. (2017). Annual reproductive success of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) at the northern edge of their range. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 129(3), 509-519. Web.
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