American Robin

The American Robin has retuned to the Texas panhandle in force. These icons are very numerous in our neighborhood already this year, and they're singing their hearts out. A sign of Spring right around the corner? Maybe so!

 (More Robin images and info HERE.)

American Robin

Everybody knows the American Robin. It's squeaky chirp and warbling song signals that spring is here.

Dining on adult insects and larvae, earthworms (night crawlers), other invertebrates and berries, the sight of the American Robin foraging in our yards and gardens is a form of "comfort food" for our psyches.

He appears to be listening for prey when he tilts his head as he forages, but in reality his keen eyes are looking for movement on the ground. His eyes are more on the sides of his head than other species, so he has to tilt his head to see the ground under him.

The panhandle is among the Robin's breeding and summer grounds, but it also winters throughout Texas to the south.