Robin birdsong

bswee365

Hi, this is my first year birding, where I've taken a real interest on the bird visitors to my garden. I've read a couple of sources (external sites) saying that the robin sings year-round. Last spring, I was very aware of their song, hearing it many times a day.
Despite actively listening for it, I have not heard it once over the summer. It's only today that I've heard the familiar song and it made me wonder.
Is anyone here familiar with robin singing behaviour? Has anyone heard robin song over summer or do they actually stop?
The only vocalisations I heard from them over summer were the repeated chirps they make when alarmed.
Many thanks

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Robins are one of the few birds that sing more or less all year round. The song does vary slightly through the year. They are less vocal once nesting begins as they don't wish to draw too much attention to their nest area.

Gen.Zhukov

This little lad has latched on to me over the last few months, no doubt due to the grub I give him. His latest trick is hanging out with me in the shed.

Sings his heart out when there is music playing on the radio and stops when there are ads or DJ waffle. He actually seems to enjoy the music. He stood on the vice for 20 mins or so today. He became extra vocal to a Stones track:D

corks finest

bswee365 wrote: »

Hi, this is my first year birding, where I've taken a real interest on the bird visitors to my garden. I've read a couple of sources (external sites) saying that the robin sings year-round. Last spring, I was very aware of their song, hearing it many times a day.
Despite actively listening for it, I have not heard it once over the summer. It's only today that I've heard the familiar song and it made me wonder.
Is anyone here familiar with robin singing behaviour? Has anyone heard robin song over summer or do they actually stop?
The only vocalisations I heard from them over summer were the repeated chirps they make when alarmed.
Many thanks

No they sing all the year,but don't live long,so maybe last year's visitors is gone

bswee365

Gen.Zhukov wrote: »

This little lad has latched on to me over the last few months, no doubt due to the grub I give him. His latest trick is hanging out with me in the shed.

Sings his heart out when there is music playing on the radio and stops when there are ads or DJ waffle. He actually seems to enjoy the music. He stood on the vice for 20 mins or so today. He became extra vocal to a Stones track:D

I love their behaviour, they're so funny. Great shot of Robbie!

Graces7

There is one here who follows me round the garden and down the lane, singing his little heart out.

corks finest

Graces7 wrote: »

There is one here who follows me round the garden and down the lane, singing his little heart out.

Guy up the country,robin used hope on his lawnmower as he pushed it up n down the lawn

dogmatix

Do they sing at night? I was pleasently awakened at 2am last week with some melodious birdsong right outside my bedroom window.

bswee365

dogmatix wrote: »

Do they sing at night? I was pleasently awakened at 2am last week with some melodious birdsong right outside my bedroom window.

I've read a few times that they've been known to sing at night close to street lights but I've never heard them myself.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

dogmatix wrote: »

Do they sing at night? I was pleasently awakened at 2am last week with some melodious birdsong right outside my bedroom window.

They do indeed sing at night near street lights. In fact, some research suggests it is shortening the lives of the birds that do so.

The Robin has a great range of song and it's worth having a listen to the different forms it takes. Some is territorial, other is attracting a mate, more is distress or alarm calling - the people who walk their dogs while accompanied by the cheery singing robin, or sit with their cats in the garden listening to the Robin's song are often hearing an alarm song.

Graces7

corks finest wrote: »

Guy up the country,robin used hope on his lawnmower as he pushed it up n down the lawn

Oh wow!

corks finest

Graces7 wrote: »

corks finest wrote: »

Guy up the country,robin used hope on his lawnmower as he pushed it up n down the lawn

Oh wow!

Something similar in you tube,a house I painted last year in bishoptown used to feed her robin from her hand,same time each morning

Graces7

They trained robins to feed from the hands of Saint Francis..

http://www.ardsfriary.ie/RetreatConferenceCentre.htm

New Home

They eat off the hands of a couple of posters in this forum, too. And I'm green with envy.

Gen.Zhukov

The little fella dropped in yesterday for some tasty morsels and a bit of a sing. No music on this time so he must have been giving out about Duffy.

https://streamable.com/3nnjg

New Home

That's amazing! What a chatterbox! He was definitely singing for his supper.

bswee365

Gen.Zhukov wrote: »

The little fella dropped in yesterday for some tasty morsels and a bit of a sing. No music on this time so he must have been giving out about Duffy.

https://streamable.com/3nnjg

Adorable! He was having a great little look around. You're lucky with him coming into the shed!

bswee365

New Home wrote: »

They eat off the hands of a couple of posters in this forum, too. And I'm green with envy.

In fairness, I thought it was going to be really difficult to do it and would need tonnes of patience. I had been leaving out mealworms all last winter and then in the spring, I said I'd try the hand. I approached slowly, worms in hand, and then stayed perfectly still near a high fence... Then the robin would fly close, hover and go back to the fence. I didn't move a millimetre. He did this a few times, until finally he landed for a second and took a worm. It seemed like the flybys were testing to see if I'd react. My heart was thumping! Later he became more comfortable staying on my hand for a couple of worms (or three or four)!
I thought I was going to need buckets of patience but it was quite smooth sailing. Maybe putting the food out all winter generated trust. Good luck!

New Home

You're in good company! There was a poster a while back who said one time he went to the door to see what was making all that racket outside, as as soon as he opened it a robin flew in and hid behind him because it was being attacked by bigger birds. He also said he has robins (more than one generation) feeding off his hands, he even posted a video! Srameem, too, the other day, was saying that some birds were feeding while he was cleaning and refilling the feeders he held in his hands.

I've said it before, ye're all Disney princesses, and nothing you can do or say will make me change my mind!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

New Home wrote: »

You're in good company! There was a poster a while back who said one time he went to the door to see what was making all that racket outside, as as soon as he opened it a robin flew in and hid behind him because it was being attacked by bigger birds. He also said he has robins (more than one generation) feeding off his hands, he even posted a video! Srameem, too, the other day, was saying that some birds were feeding while he was cleaning and refilling the feeders he held in his hands.

I've said it before, ye're all Disney princesses, and nothing you can do or say will make me change my mind!

I'd get the role of a dwarf more likely.

New Home

Who, Grumpy?

Nah, still not buying it. :cool:

bswee365

Elaina Uneven Moth-eaten wrote: »

I'd get the role of a dwarf more likely.

Elaina Uneven Moth-eaten, where on earth did you get hold of that footage of my typical morning!!! At least I had my hair brushed, phew!

New Home

You've a very melodious voice, bswee. :pac:

bswee365

New Home wrote: »

You've a very melodious voice, bswee. :pac:

😛 I got free lessons each morning

gzoladz

In the meantime in China

https://www.birdguides.com/news/robin-causes-a-stir-in-beijing/

bswee365

gzoladz wrote: »

In the meantime in China

https://www.birdguides.com/news/robin-causes-a-stir-in-beijing/

Oh. My God!

Graces7

There is one here who comes to the bush near where I work or sit and sings his heart out and follows me down the lane