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It’s heeeeeere! Well, almost. Even though temperatures have been rising recently, getting into the mid-fifties, even the low sixties in some places,  I can’t say that spring has sprung just yet. There’s one thing I’m waiting for.

I’m giddy like a little kid for a personal tradition that I look forward to ever year: spotting the original early bird, the red-breasted American Robin. Every year, I can’t wait to see my first Robin.

As symbols of the end of winter and the coming of spring, the American Robin (turdus migratorius), is one of the first indicators to me that the long, snowy (or not, this year) winter is over. When the Robin is out, singing and darting around hunting for worms, I start to anticipate spring.  Soon it’ll be time to work on the garden, pull my bike out of the shed, and do the dreaded yearly overhaul my mom cheerfully calls “Spring Cleaning.” But let’s not think about that for now.

American Robin photo by Wikipedia user Mdf

Also called the North American Robin and the Red-Breasted Robin, the migratory songbird is a type of thrush, which explains its scientific name (turdus meaning thrush, migratorius meaning migrating). Even though it’s named after the European Robin, the American Robin is a completely different species, of which there are seven hazily-defined subspecies.

With gray-brown feathers and distinctively reddish orange chests and bellies, the American Robin is one of the most easily identifiable birds.  The head of the bird is darker than the body, the bill is yellow, and the belly and underside of the tail are white or light gray. There is a vague distinction between the sexes; females are usually lighter, compared to males.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the American Robin is  “the largest of the North American thrushes.”  Because they are so easily recognizable, they’re a good starting point for beginning birdwatchers. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology also says, “Robins make a good reference point for comparing the size and shape of other birds, too.”

Robins are known as early birds for several reasons, the most obvious being that they are one of the first birds to be seen after the winter. Surprisingly, even though they migrate to breed, Robins can be found in our area year-round. They are just more likely roosting in the trees than on the ground searching for berries, fruit, insects and earthworms. In the spring, birdwatchers have a better chance of seeing the bird engage in its quirky “running and stopping” behavior, another of the Robin’s distinguishing characteristics.

Because Robins are so well-known, it’s no surprise to find their many inclusions in our culture. The Robin is the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, and there’s even a crayon named for the color of their eggs, Robin’s egg blue. If you haven’t gotten the tune of  “Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day stuck in your head yet, well, it won’t be long. And if you have, click here to listen.  Even Robin of Batman fame is clearly inspired by the American Robin; his red shirt isn’t just a coincidence. I’m sure there are countless other references to the Robin in pop culture.

One of my favorite things about Robins is their song. They provide the soundtrack to spring. There is nothing like throwing open the windows on a sunny spring day, and letting the breeze and melody of the Robin float into your home. Whether it’s a warning call, or their clear, lilting song, I’m listening. Since Robins are starting to be more active, I know that even if I haven’t seen one yet, I’ll probably hear them announcing spring’s arrival soon.

Have you seen the American Robin yet?