The common name “robin” is a source of confusion because it is applied to many different bird species around the world that are not closely related. This naming convention is based on a superficial resemblance, typically a patch of red or orange plumage on the breast, rather than a shared evolutionary history. To answer the question of how many different robins there are, one must look beyond the name and examine the distinct taxonomic families that use this title. The total count includes a small group of true thrushes, the original Old World flycatcher, and dozens of entirely separate species across the Southern Hemisphere.
The New World Robins
The bird most familiar in North America is the American Robin (Turdus migratorius), a member of the Thrush family (Turdidae). This species is widespread throughout the continent and is one of the most abundant landbirds. It measures 8 to 11 inches in length and is easily recognized by its slate-gray back and a prominent reddish-orange breast.
These thrushes commonly forage on lawns and in parks, often stopping suddenly to listen for prey like earthworms. They are territorial during the summer breeding season. In the winter, they become more social, gathering in large flocks to roost and feed on berries.
The Original European Robin
The bird that lent its name to all others is the European Robin (Erithacus rubecula), the national bird of the United Kingdom. This species is taxonomically distant from the American Robin, belonging to the Old World Flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). Modern classification places it among the chats and flycatchers.
The European Robin is much smaller, measuring only about 5 inches long. Its breast is a distinct orange-toned red, which differs from the brick-red of its American namesake. When European settlers arrived in North America, they applied the familiar name to the larger, red-breasted thrush they encountered, creating the modern confusion between the two distinct families. The European Robin is primarily found across Europe, extending into Western Siberia and North Africa.
Global Species Sharing the Name
Beyond the two most famous examples, the name “robin” is used for dozens of other bird species globally that share little close ancestry with either the European or American birds. This vast group significantly increases the total count of different robins.
The Australian continent is home to the Australasian Robins, which belong to the family Petroicidae. This family includes around 45 to 51 species, such as the Scarlet Robin and the Flame Robin. Their resemblance to the European species is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar features to fill comparable ecological niches. These Australasian birds are small, insectivorous, and often have a distinctive patch of color on their breast.
Other groups using the name include various African and Asian species, often classified within the Old World Flycatcher family alongside the European Robin. These include the Robin-Chats and Magpie-Robins, such as the Oriental Magpie Robin. The use of the name in these cases is purely descriptive, applied to any bird with a reddish breast or head patch.
In summary, three major evolutionary groups are involved: Thrushes (Turdidae), Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae), and Australasian Robins (Petroicidae). The total count of distinct species that carry “robin” in their common title is in the hundreds.