American Robin Identification

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The Four Keys to ID

  • Size & Shape

    American Robins are fairly large songbirds with a large, round body, long legs, and fairly long tail. Robins are the largest North American thrushes, and their profile offers a good chance to learn the basic shape of most thrushes. Robins make a good reference point for comparing the size and shape of other birds, too.

    Relative Size

    The largest North American thrush, almost half again as big as a bluebird.

    Relative Sizerobin sizedrobin-sized
    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)
      • Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)
      • Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)

Regional Differences

Western populations are often paler than eastern populations and have almost no white at the tail corners. Breeding robins on the Canadian Atlantic coast are richly colored, with black on the upper back and neck.

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