A sure sign that the winter will come to an end and spring will begin; the American robin (Turdus migratorius). It is one of the first birds we see return from their wintering spots. Although not all robins leave for the winter, we don’t see them as often as they roost in trees rather than hop around in your yard. Once they arrive, you are likely to see them in large numbers running around your yard in search of earthworms.

Most everyone knows the robin, a truly cosmopolitan bird. They are found in just about every habitat and are so common that it is used as a size reference to other species. Robin red-breast is a term I heard growing up. A fitting name as the bird boasts a russet, red-orange breast. The head is dark with a distinguishing white eye-ring and its back is a varying gray-brown depending on age and sex. It is a rather large, plump songbird and the largest member of the thrush family. The robin's rich song is among the earliest heard at dawn in spring and summer, often beginning just before first light. Its song is often described as cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up. Hear it here.

As most also know, they dine on earthworms. But, they eat a wide variety of other invertebrates and fruit. Sixty percent of their diet is fruit and berries with earthworms and invertebrates at 40%. Generally, once spring arrives, they spend mornings searching the ground for earthworms and transition during the heat of the day to fruits and other insects.

Searching for worms while on the lookout for predators.

Robins can produce up to three broods a season. They have a relatively high mortality rate and the entire population turns over about every 6 years. However, some robins have been known to live up to 14 years. (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview).

This early bird has arrived in Southwest Virginia and searching your fields and lawns for worms. Soon, if not already, they will be waking you with their cheery pre-dawn song. Spring is just around the corner!