American Robin — or, as it’s often called by birders, “It’s just a robin.”
This phrase usually comes up when birders are trying to identify a bird and feel a bit disappointed to realize it’s a robin — simply because it’s so common across much of the country, including in Banff National Park, where it's found in large numbers.
I’ve caught myself using that phrase a couple of times, and each time, I end up feeling a little guilty. American Robins are just as important as any other species, and I always look forward to getting a few good photos of them each year.
In Banff, sightings of robins are an early indicator of the arrival of spring. This year, I spotted my first one in early March.
Robins are capable of producing up to three successful broods per year. However, on average, only about 40% of nests successfully produce young, and just 25% of fledged juveniles survive until November. Although some robins can live up to 14 years, only about half of the robin population in any given year will survive to the next.
Life is tough for birds, even for the common birds we see often.
