American Robin

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American Robin in the UK

A rare vagrant from North America and a national rarity. The first accepted British record was on Lundy, Devon, from 25 October to 8 November 1952. About 30 have been accepted since. Recent birds include one in an Eastbourne garden in February 2022 and one on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, in October 2024. It does not turn up every year, and gaps of several years between records are normal. Despite the name it is a thrush, not related to the European Robin.

Where and when to see an American Robin

The south-west takes the largest share: Devon has the most records, followed by the Isles of Scilly. Most arrive in October and November after fast Atlantic depressions. A second group is found in midwinter, often in suburban gardens well inland, such as birds in Yorkshire in 2007 and Sussex in 2022. These have probably been in the country for weeks. Look on lawns, paddocks and berry bushes among Blackbirds and Redwings. News breaks through the bird news services.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Gardens, parks (vagrant).
Diet: Worms, fruit.
Field note: Blackbird-sized; brick-red breast.

How to identify an American Robin

A thrush the size and shape of a Blackbird, and it moves like one: runs, stops, stands upright. The breast and belly are brick-red, the back and wings dark grey and the head blackish with broken white marks above and below the eye. The bill is yellow. The throat is white with black streaks and the lower belly and undertail are white. First-winter birds, the usual age here, are duller with pale fringes to the red feathers.

Call and song

Calls include a sharp 'tut-tut-tut' and a Blackbird-like chuckle when alarmed. The carolling song is almost never heard in Britain, where birds arrive outside the breeding season. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• European Robin: The European Robin is a small chat less than half the weight, with an orange face and breast and a brown back.
• Blackbird: A female Blackbird can look rufous on the breast but is brown above with no white around the eye and no clean red belly.
• Redwing: Redwing is smaller with a bold cream stripe over the eye, a streaked breast and red only on the flanks and underwing.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the American Robin is an Epic tier bird, worth +20 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• BlackbirdCommon · Gardens
• Red-throated ThrushLegendary · Fields
• Naumann's ThrushLegendary · Woodland (extreme vagrant)
• Song ThrushCommon · Gardens
• Black-throated ThrushEpic · Open woodland (very rare)
• Eyebrowed ThrushEpic · Woodland (very rare)

American Robin: quick answers

Has an American Robin ever been seen in the UK?

Yes, around 30 times. The first accepted bird was trapped on Lundy in 1952. One that spent a week in a garden in Eastbourne in February 2022 drew large crowds, and another reached Orkney in autumn 2024.

What is the difference between an American Robin and a European Robin?

They share a name and a red breast and little else. The American Robin is a thrush, a close relative of the Blackbird and about the same size. The European Robin is far smaller. Early settlers in America named the thrush after the bird they knew from home.

Where can I see an American Robin in the UK?

Only by reacting to news of one. Lundy, the Isles of Scilly and the western and northern islands have the best record in late autumn. Winter birds in gardens have been the easiest to see, because they settle on a food supply and stay for days or weeks.

Kit that helps

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