The natural world offers many fascinating glimpses into the lives of its creatures, including the diligent care that birds provide for their young. American robins, common sights in many backyards, demonstrate a remarkable dedication to raising their offspring. Understanding what and how these parents feed their babies reveals much about the specific needs of growing birds and their survival strategies.
What Baby Robins Eat
Nestling robins primarily consume a diet rich in soft-bodied invertebrates, including earthworms, caterpillars, grubs, and various insect larvae. These foods provide high protein for rapid growth and are easy for nestlings’ undeveloped digestive systems to process. For instance, earthworms are about 14% protein, making them a nutritious option.
While earthworms are a significant part of their diet, young robins also consume other insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles. Early on, parents may regurgitate partially digested food. As nestlings mature, they receive small pieces of earthworms, later provided whole with larger insects. Berries and fruits are not typically fed to very young nestlings but become common after they fledge from the nest.
How Robin Parents Feed Their Young
Both male and female robins actively participate in feeding their young. Parents bring food directly to the nestlings’ mouths, and the young birds instinctively open their mouths wide in a begging display.
The frequency of feeding is high, often occurring multiple times an hour from dawn until dusk. A single robin parent might make up to 100 feeding visits daily, highlighting the substantial food volume needed for rapid growth. This intensive effort helps nestlings develop quickly, reaching nearly adult size in about two weeks.
The Transition to Independent Feeding
As nestlings grow, they typically fledge, or leave the nest, around 13 to 16 days after hatching. However, leaving the nest does not mean immediate independence. Fledglings are still reliant on their parents for food for several days or even weeks after they fledge.
During this period, parents continue to provide food but also begin to encourage their young to forage for themselves. Parents may demonstrate foraging techniques, guiding the fledglings as they learn to find their own food sources. The male robin often takes on a larger role in caring for the fledglings while the female may start preparing for another brood. This transitional phase allows young birds to develop essential survival skills like finding food and avoiding predators.
When Humans Encounter Baby Robins
Encountering a baby robin on the ground can prompt a desire to help, but often, the best action is to observe from a distance. If the bird has feathers and can hop or flit, it is likely a fledgling, and its parents are usually nearby, continuing to care for it. These fledglings are in a normal stage of development where they are learning to navigate outside the nest.
Do not feed found baby robins; human food like bread or milk is inappropriate and harmful. If a nestling (very young, few or no feathers) has fallen from a nest, gently return it to the nest if nearby. If the nest cannot be found, or the bird appears injured or orphaned, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. These professionals possess the expertise and resources to provide proper care and diet for young birds.