# European Robin (*Erithacus rubecula*) The European Robin is a small, friendly bird known for its bright orange-red chest. They love to sing cheerful songs, especially in the morning! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 37 - **Habitat:** Woodlands, gardens, and parks - **Also known as:** Robin Redbreast ![European Robin](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426126/objects/4558.jpg) ## Appearance The European Robin has a distinctive bright orange-red breast and face, sharply contrasted by greyish-brown upperparts and a white belly. This bold colouring makes it easily recognizable and visually different from other small European birds. Juveniles have mottled brown plumage before developing their famous red chest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Muscicapidae - **Genus:** Erithacus ## Interesting facts - Baby robins are mottled brown, developing their famous red breast only when older! - Both male and female European Robins sing complex songs, even during the winter months! - Robins can detect worms underground by listening and watching for tiny movements! - Their bright orange breast acts as a warning signal to other robins to stay away! ## Special abilities - **Sonic Sentinel:** European Robin can sing complex songs year-round to defend its territory, helping it communicate with rivals and attract a mate. - **Insect Investigator:** European Robin has excellent vision to spot tiny insects and worms moving in the grass, which helps them find food efficiently. - **Curious Explorer:** European Robin can boldly approach humans and disturbance, which helps it discover new food sources in gardens and open areas. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12.5-14 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.016-0.022 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-5 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 13-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 500 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny hunters feast on small creepy crawlies, and enjoy some yummy berries and seeds too! - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Earthworms, Caterpillars, Berries, Seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — hunts adult birds and fledglings - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — common predator in gardens - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — preys on small garden birds - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — main food source from soil ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Robins are safe to observe and enjoy from a distance. Always be gentle and quiet around birds. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Robin? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Robin? 12.5-14 cm ### What is European Robin's wingspan? 20-22 cm ### How much does European Robin weigh? 0.016-0.022 kg ### How long does European Robin live? 1-5 years ### How fast can European Robin move? 55 km/h ### What does European Robin eat? These tiny hunters feast on small creepy crawlies, and enjoy some yummy berries and seeds too! ### Where is European Robin usually found? Woodlands, gardens, and parks ## Where to spot - [Colchester Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colchester-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo - [Zoo Dortmund](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-dortmund) — North Rhine-Westphalia, DE · Zoo - [Zoo de la Palmyre](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-la-palmyre) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Zoo - [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-wildlife-conservation-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [Tierpark Hellabrunn](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hellabrunn) — Bavaria, DE · Zoo [View all places to see European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-robin) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [European Robin: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin)