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European Robin

Silhouette Old World FlycatchersOld World Flycatchers
European RobinErithacus rubecula
  • ORDER: Passeriformes
  • FAMILY: Muscicapidae

Basic Description

The European Robin brightens backyard gardens with its vibrant orange breast and frequent song, making it one of Ireland and the United Kingdom’s most familiar and beloved birds. Across the rest of Europe, this small songbird is less tied to people, inhabiting dense undergrowth in damp, shady woodlands and tucking its cup nest into banks, crevices, and natural cavities. European Robins eat seeds and berries during the winter. In summer they feed mostly on ground-dwelling invertebrates, even accompanying gardeners to grab insects and worms exposed by freshly turned soil.

More ID Info
image of range map for European Robin
Year-roundBreedingMigrationNonbreeding
Range map provided by Birds of the World
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Other Names

  • Petirrojo Europeo (Spanish)
  • Rougegorge familier (French)
  • Cool Facts