Winter still rules. Storms and deep cold drive hungry robin flocks to trees, shrubs, and vines where berries fuel them up for warmth and flight.

WAVE reports outnumbered FIRST reports by three to one last week. Florida led in reporting robins, followed by Maryland, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Were robins moving in response to severe weather?

"Thousands showed up as the arctic air moved out. There are only a few left today."
02/21/15   Eric Cryer Fort Bragg, North Carolina

It's All About Survival
In harsh weather, the need to eat to maintain their body heat can draw hungry robins to bird feeders or other foods not normally on their menu.

"The flock of 150 demolished my neighbor's holly tree and enjoyed some of my chickens' feed."
02/19/15   Karen R. Louisville, Kentucky

Robins are still distributed across a large part of their range. Winter behavior of flocking, feeding, and flying dominates. But there's hope:

"How happy one single robin made me today!" 
02/21/15   Erika N. Manchester, New Jersey

Carole Knight
Weathering Winter

David Sprouse
Food and Shelter

What do you wonder about American Robins? Get your questions ready for our expert, Laura Erickson.

• Submit your questions: Feb. 27- Mar. 13
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