ROBIN

The Latin name for the robin is Erithacus rubecula.

The robin is technically a chat thrush, not a true thrush. It is a familiar, smallish, dumpy bird with no neck and a body length of 13 -15cm. Male and females are identical with a general colour of olive-brown, and a characteristic red-orange breast. The wings are slightly darker brown and the tail often appears darker towards the tip. The underparts, from below the breast, are off-white. The bill is short, relatively fine and black.

The robin has a ticking call and a thin warbling song.

It feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrate animals, and is often seen feeding from bird-tables in the garden.

Robins are aggressively territorial, and males attack any intruders. The species ranges from Siberia to North Africa and, depending on its location may migrate short distances during the year.

The robin's habitat is in gardens, hedgerows and woodlands with plenty of undergrowth. Their nests are built of moss, rootlets and dry grass, lined with hair.

They lay 5 to 7 eggs between March and April that are whitish in colour with light red freckles.