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Close encounters of an avian kind!
The European Robin (Erithracus rubecula)
The European Robin belongs to the Passeriformes order (perching birds), is a member of the Thrush family and has been voted the nation's favourite bird! Although so friendly and appealing, with its large dark eye and head cocked on one side, in reality the Robin is a rather pugnatious and very territorial little bird! With its year-round preoccupation with territory it has, apparently, developed two distinct songs - the autumn one more wistful and sadder than the cheery warble of summer. Robins sing throughout the night and originally it was thought that this was due to streetlights duping them into thinking it was daytime, but the latest theory is that they sing at night when the urban noise has quietened and their song can be heard. Robins are rarely seen or heard during mid-summer when they are moulting.
Comments
Message from PattyMac
Posted on 04th April 2009
Thanks for your appreciative comments. Indeed, Grafter, and it's not only our gardens but also our lives that are enriched by birds and wildlife!
Message from Grafter
Posted on 04th April 2009
Lovely observations, Patty. Where would our gardens be without the robin & blackbird?
Message from Mudwoman
Posted on 03rd April 2009
A lovely article. We have our residents too. This year the back garden Billies look as though they are nesting in next doors Pyracantha against the fence, while the front garden pair have settled on the Bay tree this year. Other favoured sites include the Pittosporum, Solanum crispin Glasnevin, and Viburnum tinus. i have not spotted a robin nest yet, but they can't be far away as we usually have young ones about later in the year.
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