{"id":198,"date":"2021-12-15T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T12:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=9119"},"modified":"2021-12-15T14:06:24","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T13:06:24","slug":"robin-guide-species-facts-and-how-to-attract-robins-to-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/robin-guide-species-facts-and-how-to-attract-robins-to-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Robin guide: species facts and how to attract robins to your garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Stephen Moss\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 15 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The robin redbreast is one of Britain\u2019s most recognisable and iconic birds<\/a> and is a welcome sight in winter.<\/p>\n

Both the male and female of the species look the same, and this cheering bird sings<\/a> all year round. However, don\u2019t be fooled by their loveable appearance: robins are fiercely territorial birds and will fight off any other feathered intruder that lands on their patch.<\/p>\n

As any keen gardener will know, robins are fearless and will often follow you, watching while you dig, waiting for their moment to catch the juiciest worm or insect.<\/p>\n

Our expert robin guide looks at the best places to see in Britain, facts about the species, including diet, nesting and migration habits, plus how to attract robins to your garden.<\/p>\n

How long do robins live?<\/h2>\n

Small birds must eat between one-quarter and one-third of their body weight every single day, just to survive. And for many, it\u2019s a losing battle. Robins<\/a> rarely live longer than two years; indeed, the majority are dead by the time winter is over.<\/p>\n

At this time of year, robins have just one aim:\u00a0to survive until spring. If they do, they will be able to breed and pass on their genetic heritage to the next generation: the only immortality this short-lived bird can hope to achieve.<\/p>\n

So for any individual robin, a white Christmas is little short of a disaster. Robins are ground feeders, hopping around lawns and flowerbeds, and beneath trees and shrubs, where their large eyes enable them to find their invertebrate food even in the lowest light. During a cold spell, when the earth freezes solid, locating food is trickier; and when a blanket of snow falls too, they face imminent death.<\/p>\n

More British bird content:<\/p>\n