European robin
Erithacus rubecula
Habitat
The European robin lives throughout Europe, but is not found in areas where it is really cold and unsheltered.
This bird species inhabits coppice forests with adjacent open lands, farms, thickets, watercourses, hedgerows with a few tall trees, orchards, gardens, parks, reed beds, open long-established lands with scattered groves and urban areas.
Appearance
Diet
The diet of the European robin consists of seeds, fruits and invertebrates. In addition, this bird species feeds on carrion, food scraps and bird food.
Breeding
The breeding season in the Netherlands lasts from April through July. The European robin is a monogamous bird species during the breeding season. This bird species lays 2 broods.
The territory size of the male and female determines the mating strategy. When a female has a small territory, she will move into the territory of the male more quickly. If the female has a large territory, the male will visit her on her own territory.
The male will start with loud singing to attract a potential mate. When he finds a mate, he will bring food to the mate. The female will vibrate her wings to beg for food. This forms and strengthens the pair bond.
The female makes the nest on a thick leaf mat among low vegetation or on the ground in tall grass. This bird species likes to make the nest among ivy in trees, in overgrown walls and in overgrown tree trunks. In addition, the female chooses the strangest places to build the nest, such as old teapots, pans and kettles. The nest consists of a dome-shaped structure of leaves, moss, grass and twigs. The female covers the inside with roots, fine grass, hair and feathers.
The female lays 4 to 7 eggs and incubates them in 12 to 21 days. The male will bring her food regularly. After hatching, the young remain in the nest for another 13 to 15 days, with both parents caring for the young. After fledging, the parents take care of the young for another 2 to 3 weeks. When the pair lays a 2nd brood, the male will take care of the 1st brood while the female incubates the eggs of the 2nd brood.
How will you help the European robin?
To make the garden European robin-friendly, you can hang a balcony box. This nesting box is half open at the front. The nesting box is best placed in dense vegetation, so the nesting box is sheltered. Because the species breeds among low vegetation, hang the nesting box at a maximum height of 1.50 m. The entrance opening should not face southwest because of the rain. Because the European robin is a territorial bird, it is better to hang one nesting box instead of several nesting boxes.
The optimal European robins-friendly garden includes a feeding table. European robins like to visit feeding tables. This bird species often sits under the table to search for seeds discarded by other birds.
During the fall, European robins feed on Insects. You can rake leaves under shrubs and in the borders of your garden, where the Insects will hide. By doing so, you help the European robin, as the bird will then eat these Insects. In sheltered areas on the ground or in a layer of leaves, you can also spread dried mealworms, seed mix or berries to support the European robins.