Do robins mate in their first year?

VeeEmmy

I've googled, searched this forum and my bird book, and have not found a statement as to whether or not our robins mate in their first year.

"My" robin and I struck up friendly interaction last July-August while it was still in juvenile feathers. It was from its parents' 2nd brood last year. Once it became red-breasted, it was run off by the parent who holds sway over the front garden. I encountered it in October in a thick row of tall leylandii trees where it came to me like before. I take treats to it there now. I wonder, for selfish reasons, about whether or not they mate in their first year, because I hope my little buddy will have offspring who might trust me as s/he does.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Not usually in their first year. Don't assume offspring of a friendly robin will be as friendly. I have bad many who fed from my hand etc but their youngsters didn't.

VeeEmmy

Cheers, Srameen. I know no guarantees at all with future offspring. A few years ago in my last summer before moving to this house, the parents were friendly, and their 3 chicks were similarly trusting. I moved shortly after that, so no way to know if any of the chicks might have stayed in the vicinity and remained friendly. Hope springs eternal. :-)

Half-cocked

Robins are 'friendly' when it suits them! When they are very busy rearing a brood of chicks they are happy enough to take an easy meal from your hand. As soon as the chicks are reared and they have time to feed themselves again, they'll ignore you, only to come crawling back for a handout when the weather turns cold and food gets scarce again:D