What Do Robin Birds Eat? (How to Feed Robins in Your Backyard)

The American Robin is a fascinating bird species known for its striking red or orange breast and a distinctive song that often signals the beginning of spring. These birds can be found throughout North America and are known for their diverse dietary preferences. While their diet is centered around invertebrates, they will also feast on a variety of other food sources to meet their energy needs.

Robins primarily feed on earthworms, beetles, and caterpillars, which make up a significant portion of their diet. However, they have also been known to eat spiders, flies, termites, snails, millipedes, and centipedes. As the seasons change, their diet shifts accordingly to incorporate an array of fruits and berries. This ensures they maintain a well-balanced diet that supports their growth, health, and breeding success.

Key Takeaways

American Robins primarily feed on various invertebrates, such as earthworms, beetles, and caterpillars.
Their diverse diet also includes spiders, flies, termites, snails, millipedes, and centipedes as well as fruits and berries.
Seasonal changes influence the feeding preferences of robins, ensuring they maintain a well-balanced diet for optimal growth, health, and breeding success.

Robins’ Diet Fundamentals

Robins, both American and European, have diverse diets that allow them to thrive in various environments. Their diets primarily consist of insects, worms, berries, and fruit, making them highly adaptable birds.

Insects: In terms of insects, robins consume a wide variety of them, such as mealworms (larval form of mealworm beetles), beetles, caterpillars, termites, crickets, and grasshoppers.
Invertebrates: In addition to insects, they also forage for other invertebrates like centipedes, millipedes, snails, and spiders to supplement their diet. The consumption of these invertebrates provides robins with essential nutrients and protein required for a healthy life.
Worms: Robins are also known for their love of worms, particularly earthworms. They have an exceptional ability to detect worms beneath the surface by using their keen eyesight and hearing. Once they have located the worm, they quickly swoop in and snatch it from the ground. Earthworms are a crucial part of a robin’s diet, providing necessary minerals and energy.
Fruit: When it comes to fruits and berries, robins do enjoy a tasty treat. They appreciate various types of berries and fruits, including cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries. These sweet delights add essential vitamins and antioxidants to their diets, supporting their overall health.
Snakes: American robins, in particular, have been known to occasionally catch and eat larger prey, such as eight-inch garter snakes. Although this behavior is not common, it demonstrates the versatility of their feeding habits.

Now that you know the fundamentals of a robin’s diet, you can appreciate their diverse palate. These birds are an essential part of our ecosystem, helping to control populations of insects and worms while adding beauty and song to our lives.

Read Next: What Do Bluebirds Eat?

Attracting Robins to Your Yard

Robins are known for their beauty and melodic songs, making them a delight to have in any yard. To attract robins to your outdoor space, here are some proven methods that consider their diet and habitat preferences.

Provide the Right Foods

First and foremost, robins enjoy a diet that mainly consists of invertebrates such as earthworms, centipedes, and millipedes. They also like insects, including flies, beetles, caterpillars, termites, crickets, and grasshoppers. Snails, spiders, and some fruit are also a part of their diet, especially during winter months ¹.

Set Up a Friendly Environment

One way to attract robins to your yard is by providing a suitable habitat for their natural prey. Create small piles of leaf litter around your lawn, as these will be abundant in invertebrates, and robins will be more likely to visit ². Planting trees and shrubs like chokecherry, hawthorn, and dogwood can attract robins, as they produce fruit in winter and offer shelter ³.

Don’t Forget Water

Providing a consistent source of water is another key factor in attracting robins. A bird bath filled with fresh water for drinking and bathing is ideal. Bird baths with small fountains are particularly appealing, as moving water captures their attention ⁴.

Bird Feeder Considerations

Incorporating bird feeders into your yard can help attract robins, especially if you offer their favorite foods. A tray-style feeder filled with mealworms, suet, and chopped fruit can be an excellent addition. However, robins are generally ground feeders, so placing the tray near the ground or a lower elevation will be more effective in attracting them ¹.

To be sure, creating a yard that caters to robins’ diet, habitat, and water needs is a reliable approach to successfully attract these beautiful birds. By focusing on providing natural prey, fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, a fresh water source, and suitably positioned bird feeders, you’re sure to make your outdoor space a haven for robins.

Feeding Preferences by Season

American robins adapt their diets depending on the season. In spring and summer, they mainly eat earthworms, insects, and other small creatures found in grassy areas. As the seasons change and insect populations decline, these birds shift towards a diet of berries, fruits, and seeds.

During the winter months, when earthworms and insects become scarce, robins rely on various types of fruits and seeds for nourishment. They particularly enjoy consuming crabapples, hawthorn berries, honeysuckle, and other native fruits found in their habitats. Additionally, robins may eat sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts, and other protein and fat-rich seeds offered by bird enthusiasts in their backyards.

In the fall, robins can be observed foraging for berries and seeds throughout the day. They often eat fruits such as apples and pears, and may even be attracted to softened raisins or cranberries. As these fruits provide a valuable source of energy for the birds, they become an essential part of their diet during the autumn and winter months.

To support robins’ feeding habits throughout each season, it’s important to provide a variety of food options and habitat features. Establishing a well-rounded garden ecosystem that offers insects, earthworms, berries, fruits, and seeds will attract and sustain robins all year round, ensuring them a consistent source of nourishment.

Caring for Baby Robins

When it comes to caring for baby robins, it’s essential to know their specific needs to properly nurture their growth from egg to fledgling. Baby robins begin their life in carefully crafted nests, where their parents provide warmth and protection from predators. Their weight at birth is incredibly light, only about 5.5 grams or less.

One of the critical aspects of caring for baby robins is providing them with a suitable diet. They primarily feed on insects like mealworms, grubs, earthworms, crickets, and beetles. As they grow, their food sources will expand to include berries and seeds. At around 7 to 14 days old, the parents will pass larger food portions or break up larger items such as earthworms for their young.

Maintaining a proper nest environment is crucial for the well-being of baby robins. The nest should be secure from potential predators, such as cats, raccoons, and even larger birds. Also, the nesting area should be located near food sources and be sheltered from harsh weather conditions.

As baby robins grow, their ability to move and eventually fledge develops. The process of fledging occurs when the young birds leave the nest and learn to fly. During this time, they will start exploring their surroundings while still being cared for by their parents. This stage is vital for the development of their song, a means of communication and territorial expression for these avian creatures.

Supplemental Foods for Robins

Robins are known for their diverse diet, which can consist of various foods. Providing supplemental foods in your backyard can attract robins and help them thrive throughout the year. Choose from the following options to create a robin-friendly menu in your garden.

Earthworms

One of the most common foods found in a robin’s diet are earthworms. These invertebrates are rich in nutrients and a favorite among these birds. However, it’s important to remember that robins also enjoy other invertebrates such as centipedes and millipedes.

Fruits and Berries

In addition to invertebrates, robins love feasting on a variety of berries and fruits that are available in the wild. When providing supplemental foods, be sure to include an assortment of berries, such as:

Blueberries
Apples
Grapes
Pears
Juniper berries
Holly berries
Dogwood berries
Hawthorn berries

The natural sugars in these fruits offer robins a healthy energy boost.

Seeds

Seeds can also be a part of a robin’s diet, and incorporating hulled sunflower seeds is a recommended option. These seeds are a rich source of essential nutrients needed for their growth and development. Nyjer seed is another great choice as it appeals to a wide range of bird species, including robins.

Jelly

Jelly is another treat that can attract robins to your garden. A small dish filled with some grape jelly will do the trick. However, ensure it’s placed at a safe distance from any bird feeders or suet holders, as it can get sticky and attract unwanted insects.

Suet

Adding suet chunks to your robin menu can help provide them with additional energy, especially during the colder months. Suet is a high-energy food that is easily digestible and an excellent source of nutrients. Make sure to use animal fat-based suet as it’s more natural and healthy for these birds.

Feeding Tips and Recommendations

To attract robins to your yard, it’s essential to offer the right types of food and suitable feeding platforms. Robins are known to enjoy a variety of foods, which include invertebrates, fruits, and seeds.

One effective way to feed robins is by using open tray, platform, or dish feeders. These types of feeders allow robins to access their favorite foods easily. When it comes to food options, robins love eating chunks of fruit such as apples and pears, as well as softened raisins or cranberries. Including these items in your feeder is an excellent way to catch the attention of these birds¹.
In addition to fruits, robins also benefit from consuming high-protein items like nuggets, suet chunks, or shreds. They will also sample peanut hearts, hulled sunflower seeds, mealworms, and jelly¹. Birdseed is not the top choice for robins, but they might snack on hulled sunflower seeds¹. Remember not to offer robins milk or bread since it can negatively impact their health³.
Providing birds with natural sources of food is another effective strategy. You can integrate plants and berry bushes in your yard, which will not only lure in robins but also serve as an excellent source of nutrients⁴. Selecting native plants will attract robins and provide them with proper sustenance.
In addition to food, robins need calcium for proper growth and reproduction. Make sure to offer them crushed eggshells or cuttlebone, which can be scattered on the ground alongside other foods⁴.
Finally, ensure that you maintain a consistent food supply for the birds, especially during extreme weather conditions. When natural food sources are scarce, robins will rely on the meals you provide⁵. Remember to clean the feeding platforms regularly to keep the birds healthy and avoid contamination.

Other Species of Robins

While the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a well-known species, there are other species of robins found across the globe. For instance, European Robins are members of the same order, Passeriformes, but belong to a different family, Turdidae.

European Robins are smaller than their American counterparts, and their hunting techniques differ as well. With sharp eyesight, they are adept at catching a variety of insects, spiders, and worms. Their diet also includes fruits and berries when available.

Nomadic behavior is another trait observed in certain robin species. These birds move in search of food and suitable habitat conditions, adapting to various environments to optimize their survival. This nomadic lifestyle contributes to their ability to thrive in diverse regions.

The sounds produced by different robin species can vary, often being unique to each kind. Both American and European Robins have distinct vocalizations that they use for communication and courtship displays.

Unique Robin Characteristics

Robins are fascinating birds, known for their beautiful reddish-orange chests and melodious songs. They can be found across a vast geographical range, including Alaska, where they thrive in the diverse habitats offered by the region.

One of the most interesting aspects of robins is their diverse diet. These birds are omnivorous and have a preference for invertebrates such as millipedes, centipedes, earthworms, and insects like flies, crickets, and caterpillars. They enjoy feasting on larvae, making them particularly adept at controlling garden pests. However, their diet isn’t limited to small critters; robins are also known to eat fruit, which provides essential nutrients and adds variety to their meals.

Speaking of fruit, robins have quite the sweet tooth, and they’re attracted to various kinds of fruits and berries. Some of their favorites include mulberries, cherries, honeysuckle, and grapevine. These juicy fruits not only provide necessary nourishment to robins, but they also help disperse seeds, enabling the plants to propagate.

Contrary to popular belief, robins do not primarily eat fish. While they might occasionally indulge in fish if it’s available and accessible, their diet is predominantly focused on their preferred invertebrates and fruits.

Robins are also known for their unique foraging methods. They can often be found hopping around in leaf litter, turning over leaves and debris to uncover hidden insects and other food sources. This behavior not only helps them find sustenance but also contributes to the natural process of decomposition as they search through the layers of leaves.

Adding a touch of savory to their diet, robins are known to eat spiders and snails. These creatures provide the birds with an excellent source of protein, which is essential for their growth and overall health. Additionally, these dietary habits showcase the robins’ adaptability and resourcefulness in searching for food.

Common Feeding Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions when it comes to feeding robin birds in your backyard. Understanding these misconceptions will ensure that the bird’s diet remains healthy and attracts them to your yard more efficiently.

Seeds and Sunflower Hearts: Although robins are known to eat seeds like hulled sunflower seeds, they are primarily insectivorous birds and prefer a diet rich in insects and worms. Therefore, scattering seeds on the ground or in bird feeders may not be the most effective way to attract robins.

Melted Suet: Robins do enjoy eating suet, but it’s essential to offer it in chunks or nuggets rather than melting it. This is because melted suet can stick to the bird’s feathers, causing difficulty in flying or grooming.

Milk and Bread: Feeding robins milk or bread is highly discouraged. Birds cannot digest milk, and it can harm their health. Similarly, bread does not provide the necessary nutrients for robins and may even lead to malnourishment.

Birdhouses and Robin Nests: A common misconception is that robins can be attracted to birdhouses for feeding. However, robins prefer ground-level feeding options, such as scattering dried mealworms on the grass or using ground feeding trays to offer food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of insects do robins consume?

Robins are known for their diverse diet, which includes various insects. They often feed on beetles, grubs, and worms (source). Additionally, they may consume spiders, grasshoppers, termites, and crickets depending on the season and availability.

Do robins prefer certain fruits to others?

Yes, robins do have preferences when it comes to fruits. Their diet comprises around 60% fruits, such as grapes, chokecherries, cherries, dogwood, crabapples, and hawthorn (source). Robins also love berries, including honeysuckle, mulberries, holly, juniper, blueberries, and winterberries. Offering these fruits in your garden can help attract robins to your yard.

Can I feed robins with kitchen scraps?

Feeding robins with kitchen scraps is possible, provided that the scraps are healthy choices for the birds. For example, you may offer chunks of fruits, such as apples and pears, or softened raisins and cranberries (source). However, it is essential to avoid scraps containing salt, processed foods, or anything toxic to birds.

Are there foods unsafe to feed robins?

Yes, there are some foods that can be harmful to robins. Birds are sensitive to certain foods, such as chocolate, avocado, or caffeine, which can cause severe health issues or even death. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid feeding them processed human foods, as these may contain high levels of salt and other additives that can be harmful to birds.

How important are earthworms in their diet?

Earthworms play a significant role in robins’ diet. While robins enjoy other food sources, such as fruits and insects, earthworms provide an essential source of protein for these birds. Robins are known for their exceptional ability to detect worms in the ground, making this delicacy a favorite and accessible food choice.

Do they eat seeds and nuts in addition to insects?

Although robins primarily feed on insects, fruits, and worms, they may also snack on some seeds and nuts. However, their intake of seeds and nuts is minimal compared to other food sources. Robins are not primarily seed-eaters, and offering seed-filled bird feeders is not the most effective way to attract them to your yard (source). Instead, providing fruits, insects, and worms will be more appealing to robins.