Text of Slideshow: Will a Robin Choose Your Neighborhood?

Will a Robin Choose Your Neighborhood?
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Looking For a Home
Somewhere out there, a robin thinks your backyard is its home territory. A robin's territory is where mating and nesting takes place.

A male’s first job in spring is to find a territory. He works hard to find the best land. He flies over neighborhoods or sits high in trees. He looks and listens. What do you think a robin wants in his territory? What doesn’t he want?

What Do Robins Look For?
A robin's territory must meet the family's needs during nesting season. The male chooses a territory with water to bathe in and drink, earthworms and insects to eat, shelter to hide from predators, and a safe place for the family's nest. He picks a territory away from other robin families.

A robin may battle other males for a good territory. When he wins, he stakes his claim. How? He sings his song, loud and clear. Now he is home!

Ladies Second
Male robins reach the summer breeding grounds before the females. They must have a territory before they find a mate. Females return about two weeks later than males. Females often fight other females for the best males and best territories.

Nest Quest
What is this robin doing? If you said getting ready to make a nest, you’re right! The nest is not a robin home. It is only a nursery for babies. Robins often return in spring to the same territories where they had nesting success. Will your robin come back?

Building Site
In early spring, robins often build their first nest in an evergreen tree. Later, they will build nests in elm trees or maple trees. Why do you think first nests are often in evergreens? Does your yard have trees, or other high places, for nests?

Worm Watch
Robins and their babies eat MANY earthworms during the breeding season. Worms are easiest to find at night and early morning, and the best territory will provide a good source of worms. Watch for spring’s first earthworms in your backyard. Robins may be watching, too!

Survey Your Yard
Will a robin choose your backyard? Would it make a good territory? Does it have what nesting robins need to raise their families? This spring, see your yard through a robin's eyes!