The Urban Birder

“I'll take Manhattan!” — and they have, by storm. Possibly the most famous and loved bird in America, the robin (Turdus migratorius) was once only a common transient and irregular winter visitor in inner urban Manhattan, nesting in the suburbs and the largest city parks. New Yorkers would hear their beautiful carolling in the middle of the night echoing in the moonlight in March and April all over Manhattan; then they would all but disappear from late May until early autumn. But not anymore!

Robins can be seen in almost any urban area of Manhattan now. This was not the case five years before. The robin phenomenon started around 2003 or 2004, and it seems that any sheltered ledge or light fixture in the smallest possible garden, terrace, or rooftop is open and acceptable real estate for this red-breasted thrush. In a time when so many of our native North American urban birds like the Common Nighthawk and Chimney Swift are disappearing, robins are not only stable but thriving in a city near you.

Robins are approximately ten inches long, have a grayish upper body, darker, almost black head, white eye-ring, throat and belly — and of course, their trademark brick-red breast. They can be found in every state of the continental U.S., every province of Canada, and even down into Mexico (depending on the time of year). Robins have become extremely adaptable and live in almost any available habitat. They are the state birds of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin and are featured on the two-dollar Canadian bill.

Their famous nests of mud and straw can be found in an astonishing array of places near human habitation. The list includes sheltered ledges, lamp-posts, busted chimneys, trellises, arbours; even statues, mailboxes and hanging flower pots. They are second only to wrens for their outrageous choice of nest sites. The beautiful nests are so sturdy that other animals often utilise them after they are abandoned. Everything from dormice, Mourning Doves to Common Nighthawks and insects have used the robin's former homes for nesting and roosting.

“A song, a story, and a legend” — the robin has been celebrated in all forms of music and art: e.g. “The Ballad of Cock-Robin”, “Rockin' Robin” and “When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob-bob-bobbin' Along”. They even have a colour named after them — robin's egg blue. Everyone knows that robins are the original harbinger of spring and are often a child's first introduction to birds and nature. In other words, they are literally the singing, living, lawn-ornaments of America.

They are genuine kings of the turf and must be appreciated and protected. It's truly exciting for New Yorkers to see this native bird among the starlings and house sparrows. I have watched even the most jaded Manhattanites stop to admire and marvel in disbelief that robins are living in this concrete jungle. They are regal, dashing birds that give the city much needed colour and beautiful music.

You can attract robins to nest in your area by building a nest shelf. (The instructions can be easily found online). Remember to put the shelf in a quiet sheltered area because it is not an ornament to attract unwanted attention from predators. Don't be surprised if a House Finch or Morning Dove decides to take over your shelf. If you live near water, you may also end up with a Barn Swallow or a phoebe.

Planting native fruiting and evergreen trees and shrubs, like eastern red cedar, bayberry, inkberry, hawthorn and mountain ash both ensures the survival of our true wild heritage and also provides nesting sites, food, and shelter for many species of birds, including robins.

Robins are more than holding their own. They are strong and loving parents, displaying real American spirit in the cement forests of the United States.

Michael Fritz-Graham
New York City
August 2009

Photos courtesy of Mike Danzenbaker
www.avesphoto.com