Nesting is Underway!

Nesting Reports Picking Up

American Robins are early breeders. Upon returning to their summer range, they are one of the first North American bird species to lay eggs. April marks the beginning of the breeding season, and reports of nests, eggs, nestlings and fledglings are all on the rise. 

Jimmy in Rogers, AR: "Robins build nests on my gutters about every year." (04/20/2021)

Andrea in Muskegon, MI: "After a week of activity, I noticed eggs laid in a nest outside my backdoor." (04/22/2021)

Ross in Marsing, ID: "A Robin is starting to gather materials to to build a nest and it is right out side my window. So excited to see how the nest continues to be built and watch the little eggs hatch." (04/26/2021)

Way Up North

 The northernmost report of an American Robin came in from Fairbanks, Alaska. During the breeding season, some American Robins venture as far north as the Arctic Circle.

Brenna in Fairbanks, AK: "[American Robin] spotted in late afternoon (4pm-ish) in a birch tree next to my apartment." (04/27/2021)

Special Report

One Journey North observer was lucky enough to observe a leucistic robin. Leucism is a genetic condition which prevents pigments from reaching some or all of a bird’s feathers. Leucistic robins tend to have white splotches on their feathers, but the eyes and skin remain their normal color. 

Mike in South Glens Falls, NY: "I was walking along the Betar trail on the Hudson river is South Glens Falls, New York and I noticed this bird [leucistic American Robin] with some fellow Robins in the area." (04/19/2021)

Take a look at these resources to learn more about leucism and albinism:

• Leucistic robiins
• Robins of a Different Feather: Albinism
• Who is that Masked Robin: Partial Albinism

Report Your Sightings

Keep reporting what American Robin activities your observe. Nesting behaviors including gathering materials for nests, egg laying, feeding babies; Other behaviors include foraging, mating, splashing in bird baths, and many more. Checklist of Robin Observations.

Are You Seeing Other Birds?

Peak migration has arrived in certain areas and will move north over the coming weeks. What species are you observing?

You can report observations of American Loons, Barn Swallows, Baltimore and Bullock’s Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and other species.

Go to the Journey North sightings page and under the ‘Select Species or Event‘ dropdown menu, select ‘Loon’, ’Barn Swallow’, ’Oriole’ or ‘Red-Winged Blackbird’. If you are seeing other species not listed, select ‘All Other Signs of Spring.'