Fledgeling

While strolling through the forest that surrounds Thetis Lake I came across this Robin fledgeling. He was not quite able to fly yet and looks as if he wishes he'd never left the nest. His parents were still bringing him bits of food but their encouraging calls made it clear that junior was expected to take care of himself soon.

Listening for Worms

As visitor Mike noted a few days ago we seem to have a lot of Robins this year - large flocks. I spent some time watching some of these birds the other day and was able to capture a bit of their hunting technique. Robins like to eat insects and worms. We all know this having seen that classic cartoon subject of the bird (usually a Robin) pulling a worm out of the ground. Robin is the "early bird" that gets the worm. What may not be so widely known is that Robins use more than their eyes to locate their prey. They also find worms by listening for the sounds they make as they move underground. If you watch Robins closely you will see them take two or three hops then cock their heads to one side for a few seconds and then to the other side for a few seconds. If they hear something they will dig it up with their beaks, otherwise they take another few hops and repeat the process, listening first to one side then to the other. It must take very sharp hearing and intense concentration to hear such tiny sounds.

Harbinger of Spring

When I was a small boy on the Canadian Prairies I grew to know the American Robin as the harbinger of spring since the winters were far too long and cold for them to live there during that season. Once a robin was seen spring was on the way. I still have that association although now, since I live in Victoria, I see Robins all year round, even when it is as cold as it has been this last week or so. The one pictured above was quite fearlessly hunting for his breakfast in the grass along the edge of the West Bay Walkway.

Arbutus Berries

The leaves of Arbutus Trees (Arbutus menziesii) don't change color or drop in the autumn but the some of the trees salute the season by bearing generous clusters of bright red berries. These provide a colorful setting for an American Robin (above) and a European Starling (below).

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Despite the good press robins have been receiving on this blog I have recently noticed distinctly hostile and aggressive behavior. It reminds me that beneath that romantic springtime nesting and mating is a fierce competition for mates and territory. I've lately seen some genuinely vicious aerial combats and feathery fisticuffs between robins. There is a definite martial edge to their cheeping and peeping. And on the ground the normally mild-mannered robin adopts a stance that clearly says, "You want a piece of me?"

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

When I was very young on the Canadian Prairies, I remember having an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) pointed out to me as a sure sign of spring. I always remember that when I see one, even though those that live here on the West Coast remain all year round. It was certainly the first bird I learned to identify and is familiar even to non-birdwatchers. I photographed this one on a visit to Highrock Cairn Park in Victoria West. The woods of the park are also home to Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Red Breasted Nuthatches and Oregon Juncos, all of which I saw today. But only the robin was bold enough to perch peacefully in an appropriate location, an example from which other less cooperative wildfowl might well learn. No wonder this courageous and well-mannered creature has been immortalized in verse and popular song.

Little Robin Red Breast

Little Robin Red breast sat upon a tree,
Up went pussy cat and down went he;
Down came pussy, and away Robin ran;
Says little Robin Red breast, "Catch me if you can".
Little Robin Red breast jumped upon a wall,
Pussy cat jumped after him and almost got a fall;
Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say?
Pussy cat said, "Meeow!" and Robin jumped away.

When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along