- Robins spend most of their time perching in trees or foraging for food on the ground. The birds primarily live in woodland areas, fields or residential areas where trees are present. The robin is highly adaptable and will change its location for better access to food if necessary. The bird eats a diet of worms, insects, berries and fallen fruits.
- Migration is primarily a response to lack of food resources. Robins do not follow traditional North-South migratory patterns. Not all robins migrate. Robins live year round in northern Mexico and many locations around the United States, including Washington, Maryland and Southern states. Robins in Canada and Alaska all migrate in winter, but may not migrate as far south as Mexico to avoid cold. Robins found in colder climes during winter may be birds from even colder weather, while local robins have moved farther south.
- The winter diet of the robin is 90 percent fruit. The availability of berries from some nonnative plant species allows robins to spend winters in their home territories. Access to berries may also be the result of abandoned fields and farmlands that have overgrown with wild food sources. Robins do not forage on the ground much in winter, but spend most of their time in the tree canopy, which is why they are often not seen until spring.
- To help wintering robins in your area, add grapes, blackberries, diced apples elderberries and holly berries to a bird feeder. Provide access to water as well for areas that are prone to dry winters. Avoid using pesticides on your lawn, as this may cause harm to robin populations.
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