Finding the Best Claiming a territory is a male’s first job in spring. He arrives on the breeding grounds about two weeks before females. A male with the best territory is often the most attractive to females.
Proclaiming Ownership A robin may battle other males for a good territory. When he wins, he stakes his claim. How? He sings his territorial song. Now he is home!
Meeting the Family's Needs The male works hard to find the best habitat. He flies over neighborhoods or sits high in trees. He looks and listens. What do you think a robin wants in his territory? What doesn’t he want?
Looking for Food The best territory will provide a good source of worms. Robins and their babies eat MANY earthworms during the breeding season. Robins also need caterpillars, flies, sowbugs, snails, spiders, termites, millipedes, true bugs, and centipedes.
Looking for Water Robins need water to drink and to stay clean. They bathe as often as possible. They'll use any kind of water they can find: ponds, mud puddles, melted snow, bird baths, and lawn sprinklers.
Looking for Shelter Robin habitat must have trees or other high places where the nest can be hidden from predators and protected from bad weather. In early spring before leaf-out, the first nest is often built in an evergreen tree. Later, robins will build in decidious trees.
Survey Your Neighborhood Will a robin choose your neighborhood? Look to see how it will meet the family's needs during the nesting season. Survey for water for bathing and drinking, earthworms and insects to eat, shelter from weather and predators. This spring, try see your neighborhood through the eyes of robin.
Companion Resources
Journal
Photo Gallery
Text Only Article
Teaching Suggestions
Driving Question
What does a robin look for when choosing a territory?
