What can you learn from observing this robin in Alberta, Canada?
You
can tell that it's cold because his feathers are all fluffed up. Those "white bloomers" are
always there, but not usually this fluffed up. That white area is actually
a very important field mark that can help identify the
bird as a robin. When
robins are flying above us and are backlit, we may not be able to see
the red breast, but this white spot of feathers on a robin stands out
in almost any light.
Other markings tell you the gender. His eye ring, bright beak color,
black head, and white throat markings all show this bird is a male.
The
fact that he's up in Alberta at the end of winter (or so early in
spring) shows that he's a survivor. When the temperature goes up just
a few more
degrees, he'll be singing like mad!
It looks like there is a lot of dried up fallen fruit around
him. He might be partly feeding on what's left at the end of winter. These
look more like raisins than crabapples. But our robin looks perky and
is nice
and fluffed up. His feathers keep his body warmth well insulated until
warmer weather comes.
Photo: Ken Moore