© Robin by Rob Miller Robin Erithacus rubecula The robin is one of the most familiar birds of Britain, regularly visiting gardens and adorning Christmas cards every year. © Robin on a branch in the Garden Robins are also common in parks, scrub and woodland, making their presence known with a loud, territorial song. They sing from prominent perches right through the winter, when both males and females sing and hold territories, and are fiercely territorial, driving off intruders and even fighting. During the breeding season the female is allowed into the male’s territory where she sets up a nest of dead leaves, moss and hair. Nests often crop up in the oddest of places such as plant pots, old wellies and shelves but ivy and other shrubs are their natural choice. How to Identify Unmistakeable: brown above with a white belly and a famously red breast. Young robins are mottled gold and brown with no red breast. Where to Find Widespread. How People Can Help You can help to look after robins and other garden birds by providing food and water for them – it doesn’t matter if you have a big garden or live in a high-rise flat, there are plenty of feeders, baths and food choices out there to suit all kinds of situations. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there’s plenty of facts and tips to get you started. Did you know? Robins have been traditionally associated with Christmas ever since Victorian times; Victorian postmen, who were known as ‘robin red-breasts’ because of their red waistcoats, are thought to be the inspiration for so many robins appearing on our Christmas cards. Whether it’s the case or not, robins certainly make themselves known in winter with their loud, aggressive song! Key FactsLength: 14cmWingspan: 21cmWeight: 18gAverage Lifespan: 2 years Donate Donate to help support Robin and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds