Robin Redbreast

[saffronpink]

Returned to some woods yesterday, where I used to walk my dog in the winter. A robin with a red breast would follow me from bush to bush singing for my whole walk. I looked for it.... and no sign... making me wonder... do robins only have a red breast in the winter? are they plain brown in summer? why have i never seen one in summer? where do they go? or are they short lived? someone please let me know, thanks.

[Cetti]

It's very quiet on the bird front this time of year anyway as the nesting is all but finished, so no singing is needed. You should be hearing the Robin's sad, autumnal song any time now to September - very different from the loud upbeat spring song. I heard one singing a few notes last week, but it didn't last very long.

Robins are busy from April to August fighting, mating, nesting and bringing up their family and then moulting. The latter leaves them particularly vulnerable so they hide away until they have their smart autumn and winter feathers. They have the red all through the year, but apart it's not so bright as the winter/spring red, and the babies have brown speckled breasts.

[saffronpink]

Thanks for answering Cetti. I will have to be more observant!

[puddicat]

see loads of robins here, always singularly in my garden, but when walking in the woods saw at least 4 or 5 near enough together, and what i thought a baby one in my garden thought i regonised it mirror image of a robin except it was a brown colour!

[SickThings]

Unusual to see several robins together puddicat. Robins are very territorial and will usually instantly attack any other robins that come anywhere near them. They will even attack a strategically placed red rag!

Young robins are plain brown for the first few months - so that they do not get attacked.