european robin european robin known simply robin british isles small bird specifically chat classed member family considered old world length male female similar orange breast face lined grey brown whitish belly found europe east south north_africa range far north term robin applied birds families red orange breasts include american robin family relationships unclear taxonomy european robin described 10th edition specific epithet derived latin red genus introduced french naturalist giving bird current genus previously included japanese robin robin east asian species shown molecular phylogenetic studies similar group asian species european robin reorganisation genera japanese moved resurrected genus leaving european robin sole member phylogenetic analysis placed subfamily contained african species exact position respect genera resolved distinctive orange breast sexes contributed european robin original orange colour unknown english sixteenth century time fruit introduced fifteenth century popular human names familiar species bird came known robin eventually shortened robin given robin originally robert older english names bird include american literature late 19th century robin frequently called english robin similar english dutch french gorge refer coloured robin belongs group mainly birds variously assigned depending groups perceived eventually analysed genus assigned group like true tribe includes common old world subspecies large continental range vary somewhat form populations considered subspecies robin subspecies mainly distinguished forming resident populations islands mountainous areas robin found ireland britain western europe occurs adjacent regions closely resembles shorter wing length birds large fairly washed colour southeast range iran generally accepted significantly distinct azores local population described distinct morphology isolation suggests subspecies valid robin distinct birds considered distinct species different subspecies readily distinguished white eye ring intensely coloured breast grey line separates orange red brown belly entirely white sequence data indicate distinct probably derived mainland birds million years ago addition birds distinct genetically published study called european robin islands revealed mitochondrial dna sequence data evidence new robin taxon concluded robin diverged genetically european relatives far million years ones took half million years leap million years ago reason different colonization bird arrived oldest island subsequently passed neighboring island thorough comparison pending confirm effectively different subspecies initial results suggest birds wings shorter west populations younger middle pleistocene beginning genetically western similar finally found european ones surprising species breed island nearby passing long africa europe larger american robin named similarity european robin birds closely related similarity lies largely orange chest patch species american species incorrectly shown nest london film occurs rare south middle american named robin australian robin correctly scarlet robin closely related european robin belongs family commonly called red billed named robin group time africa asia genus members known oriental robin national bird bangladesh description adult european robin long weighs wingspan male female bear similar plumage orange breast face strongly coloured similar british subspecies lined bluish grey sides neck chest brownish olive tinged british birds belly whitish legs feet brown bill eyes black juveniles spotted brown white patches orange gradually appearing distribution habitat robin occurs east south algeria atlantic islands far west azores iceland south east reaches range irish british largely resident small minority usually female migrate southern europe winter far spain scandinavian russian migrate britain western europe escape winters migrants recognised tone upper parts bodies orange breast european robin prefers spruce woods northern europe contrasting preference parks gardens ireland britain attempts introduce european robin australia new_zealand 19th century unsuccessful birds released melbourne wellington local societies established similar outcome north_america birds failed establish released long_island new_york oregon british_columbia behaviour ecology robin reported active hunting insects nights near artificial light night known british irish relatively people drawn human activities involving digging soil order look food turned robin considered friend folklore reasons robin harmed continental europe hand hunted killed small birds wary approach large wild animals wild animals ground look food brought surface autumn winter supplement usual diet terrestrial invertebrates spiders worms insects fruit eat seed placed bird tables male noted highly aggressive territorial behaviour attack males stray territories observed attacking small birds apparent attacks lead fatalities accounting adult robin deaths areas high mortality year life robin average life years past year expect live longer robin recorded reaching years age spell low temperatures winter result significant mortality species breeding choose wide variety sites building nest fact offer shelter like depression hole considered usual sheltered banks objects include pieces machinery bicycle discarded cans flower hats nest composed moss leaves grass finer grass hair feathers lining eggs laid breeding season march britain ireland eggs cream buff white reddish brown colour heavily larger end juvenile birds fly nests brown colour months nest juvenile bird grows orange feathers chin similar period patch gradually extends complete adult appearance robin produces song breeding season male female sing winter hold separate territories song sounding summer version female robin moves short distance summer nesting territory nearby area suitable winter feeding male robin keeps territory year breeding season male usually initiate morning song hour civil sunrise usually terminate daily singing thirty minutes sunset nocturnal singing occur especially urban areas artificially night artificial light nocturnal singing urban actively daytime noise variety calls time year including note indicating anxiety mild alarm magnetic compass robin extensively researched uses robin ability sense magnetic field earth navigation affected light entering bird eye physical mechanism robin magnetic sense fully understood involve quantum electron spins cultural depictions robin features prominently british folklore northwestern france parts europe held storm cloud bird sacred god thunder norse mythology feature traditional children tale wood birds cover dead bodies children recently robin strongly associated christmas taking starring role christmas cards mid 19th century robin appeared christmas postage stamps old british folk tale seeks explain robin distinctive breast legend jesus dying cross robin simply brown colour flew sang ear order comfort pain blood wounds stained robin breast got mark christ blood alternative legend breast water souls association christmas probably arises fact victorian britain wore red jackets nicknamed robin featured christmas card emblem delivering card 1960s vote publicised times robin adopted unofficial national bird robin voted britain national bird poll organised taking final vote english welsh sports organisations nicknamed include professional football clubs home colours red traditionally english rugby league team home colours white red band small bird unusual choice thought agility field
European robin