![]() ![]() Ī study of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicates that the American robin is not part of the Central/South American clade of Turdus thrushes instead it shows genetic similarities to the Kurrichane thrush ( T. There are about 65 species of medium to large thrushes in the genus Turdus, characterized by rounded heads, longish pointed wings, and usually melodious songs. The term robin for this species has been recorded since at least 1703. The binomial name derives from two Latin words: turdus, "thrush", and migratorius from migrare "to migrate". This species was first described in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturae as Turdus migratorius. Brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater) lay their eggs in robin nests (see brood parasite), but the robins usually reject the egg. When feeding in flocks, it can be vigilant, watching other birds for reactions to predators. The adult robin's main predator is the domestic cat other predators include hawks and snakes. It is among the earliest birds to sing at dawn, and its song consists of several discrete units that are repeated. The robin's nest consists of long coarse grass, twigs, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. It is one of the earliest bird species to lay its eggs, beginning to breed shortly after returning to its summer range from its winter range. Its diet consists of invertebrates (such as beetle grubs, earthworms, and caterpillars), fruits, and berries. The American robin is active mostly during the day and assembles in large flocks at night. confinis) of Baja California Sur, is particularly distinctive, with pale gray-brown underparts. It has seven subspecies, but only one of them, the San Lucas robin ( T. Īccording to the Partners in Flight database (2019), the American robin is the most abundant landbird in North America (with 370,000,000 individuals), ahead of red-winged blackbirds, introduced European starlings, mourning doves and house finches. It is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The American robin is widely distributed throughout North America, wintering from southern Canada to central Mexico and along the Pacific Coast. It is named after the European robin īecause of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not closely related, with the European robin belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. The American robin ( Turdus migratorius) is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider thrush family. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |