American Robins are a common sight across North America, known for their distinctive red breasts and familiar songs. These adaptable birds frequently choose human-inhabited areas for nesting, building cup-shaped nests in trees, shrubs, or on building structures like eaves and windowsills. The female robin constructs the nest using mud, twigs, and grasses, taking two to six days to complete it. This allows for unique observations of their reproductive cycle and the rapid development of their young.
Life Inside the Nest
Once eggs are laid, usually three to five sky-blue, the female incubates them for 12 to 14 days until they hatch. Nestlings are born helpless, with eyes closed for about five days. This nestling period, lasting 9 to 16 days, with an average of 13 to 14 days, sees young birds grow quickly. Their bodies develop feathers, and they can reach the size of their parents in just two weeks.
Both parent robins are actively involved in feeding their brood, making numerous trips to the nest throughout the day. They deliver a diet of earthworms and various soft invertebrates, sometimes making 100 to 150 feeding visits daily. To maintain nest hygiene, parents remove fecal sacs, which are waste packets produced by the nestlings after each feeding. This period of growth and parental care prepares the young robins for their departure from the nest.
The Fledgling Stage
Leaving the nest, a process known as fledging, marks a milestone for young robins, occurring around 13 days old. Fledglings are fully feathered but may appear scruffy, with shorter wings and tail feathers compared to adult birds. They are not yet strong fliers and often spend their first few days on the ground or in low branches, learning to use their wings.
Even after leaving the nest, these young birds continue to rely on their parents for food and protection. Adult robins continue to feed and guide their fledglings as they practice flying and learn to forage. It takes another 10 to 15 days after fledging for young robins to become proficient fliers and achieve full independence.
When Intervention is Needed
Observing a young bird out of its nest can prompt concern, but understanding its developmental stage is important. A “nestling” is a very young bird with few or no feathers, often with closed eyes, and is entirely dependent on the nest for survival. If a nestling is found on the ground, it needs help; if the nest is visible and accessible, it can be gently returned, as parent birds do not abandon their young if touched by humans.
A “fledgling,” conversely, is a bird that has left the nest, mostly or fully feathered, capable of hopping, walking, and making short flights. It is normal for fledglings to be on the ground as they learn to fly, and their parents are nearby, continuing to care for them. Intervention is not needed for a fledgling unless it is visibly injured, attacked by a pet, or in immediate danger. In such cases, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.