Turdus migratorius
Lawns, parks, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Three forward toes and one back toe, about 1.5 inches.
What does a american robin look like?
Gray-brown back, orange breast, yellow bill. The most familiar lawn bird.
What do american robin tracks look like?
A small perching-bird print. Robins walk, so the trail is an alternating line across a lawn.
- Three forward toes and one back toe, about 1.5 inches
- Often a walking trail on a lawn, not only hops
- Mud cup nest on a ledge or branch
- Orange breast and gray back if seen
- White splash under a roost
What does american robin poop look like?
White and dark splashes on a railing, plus berry-stained droppings under a fruiting tree. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Lawns, parks, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Typical places: yard, woods, field. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Eastern bluebird identification
- Common grackle identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What do robin tracks look like?
A small three-forward, one-back print in a walking line on a lawn.
How to tell a american robin from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Eastern bluebird. No reliable ground identification. Blue above, orange on the throat and breast, white belly.
- Common grackle. A walking print larger than a starling. Lanky blackbird with a long tail and a pale eye.
American robin field marks
- Three forward toes and one back toe, about 1.5 inches
- Often a walking trail on a lawn, not only hops
- Mud cup nest on a ledge or branch
- Orange breast and gray back if seen
Where the sign shows up
Lawns, parks, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Typical places: yard, woods, field. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A small perching-bird print. Robins walk, so the trail is an alternating line across a lawn. White and dark splashes on a railing, plus berry-stained droppings under a fruiting tree.
Common questions
What do robin tracks look like?
A small three-forward, one-back print in a walking line on a lawn.