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Robins are one of the most familiar and beloved birds in the UK. They are often seen perching on fences, singing their cheerful songs, or following gardeners around in hopes of finding a tasty worm. But what do robins eat, and how can you provide them with nutritious and appealing foods in your garden?
Robins’ Natural Diet
Robins are omnivorous birds, meaning they eat both plant and animal foods. Their diet varies depending on the season, the availability of food sources, and their nutritional needs.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, such as worms, insects, spiders, and snails. Robins eat a lot of invertebrates, especially in spring and summer when they need more protein and calcium for breeding and raising their young. Some of the invertebrates that robins eat include:
- Earthworms
- Centipedes
- Millipedes
- Flies
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Termites
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Snails
- Spiders
Robins have excellent eyesight and hearing, which help them locate their prey on the ground or near the surface. They also use a technique called “pouncing”, where they fly down from a perch and grab their prey with their beaks.
Fruits and Berries
Fruits and berries are another important part of robins’ diet, especially in autumn and winter when invertebrates are less active or scarce. Fruits and berries provide robins with energy and vitamins to survive the cold months. Some of the fruits and berries that robins eat include:
- Blueberries
- Mulberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Crabapples
- Chokecherries
- Dogwood
- Hawthorn
- Sumac
- Juniper
- Honeysuckle
- Holly
Robins will eat fruits and berries from bushes, trees, vines, or even fallen on the ground. They will also eat fruits that have been left over from summer or have fermented.
Other Foods
Robins are opportunistic feeders, which means they will eat whatever they can find when food is scarce or when they encounter something new. Some of the other foods that robins have been known to eat include:
- Eggs (from other birds’ nests)
- Small snakes (up to eight inches long)
- Frogs
- Skinks (a type of lizard)
- Small fish (such as trout fry)
These foods are rare in robins’ diet and are usually eaten when other foods are unavailable or when robins are curious.
How to Feed Robins in Your Garden
If you want to attract robins to your garden and offer them supplementary food, there are some things you need to consider:
What to Feed Robins
The best food to feed robins is live or dried mealworms, which are insect larvae that resemble worms. Mealworms are high in protein and fat, which robins need for their health and energy. You can buy mealworms from pet shops, garden centers, or online.
Other foods that you can feed robins include:
- Suet (animal fat)
- Crushed peanuts (unsalted)
- Sunflower hearts (shelled)
- Raisins (soaked in water)
- Apples (cut into small pieces)
You can also make your own bird cake by mixing suet with seeds, nuts, dried fruits, cheese, or oats. Avoid feeding robins bread, cooked rice, milk, chocolate, or salty foods as these can be harmful to them.
How to Feed Robins
Robins prefer to feed on the ground or on low platforms rather than hanging feeders. You can place a shallow dish or tray on the ground or on a table and fill it with food for robins. Make sure the dish or tray is clean and has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
You can also scatter some food on the ground or on a lawn for robins to find. However, avoid putting food near dense bushes or hedges where cats or other predators can hide. Also avoid putting food near bird baths or ponds where it can get wet or contaminated.
You can feed robins all year round, but they will appreciate it more in winter when natural food is scarce. You can feed them once or twice a day, preferably in the morning or in the evening when robins are most active. Avoid feeding them too much or too often as this can make them dependent on you or cause health problems.
How to Provide Water for Robins
Robins need fresh water for drinking and bathing. You can provide water for robins by setting up a bird bath, a pond, or a shallow dish of water in your garden. Make sure the water is clean and shallow (no more than 2 inches deep) and change it regularly. You can also add some stones or pebbles to the water to give robins a place to perch.
You can place the water source near some plants or shrubs to provide cover and shade for robins. However, avoid placing it near feeders or food sources to prevent contamination. You can also place it away from windows or reflective surfaces to prevent collisions.
You can provide water for robins all year round, but they will appreciate it more in summer when the weather is hot and dry. You can also add some ice cubes to the water in winter to prevent it from freezing.
How to Attract Robins to Your Garden
Besides providing food and water for robins, you can also make your garden more attractive and welcoming for them by following these tips:
- Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers that produce fruits and berries for robins to eat. Some examples are hawthorn, dogwood, holly, ivy, rose hips, and elderberries.
- Leave some areas of your garden wild and undisturbed to provide natural food sources and shelter for robins. You can also create a compost heap or a leaf pile where robins can find worms and insects.
- Provide nesting sites and materials for robins to build their nests. Robins like to nest in natural cavities such as tree holes, hedge banks, or wall crevices. You can also put up a nest box with a 5 cm diameter hole and fill it with moss, grass, feathers, or wool.
- Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in your garden as they can harm robins and their food sources. You can also encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs, frogs, or ladybirds to control pests in your garden.
- Keep cats and other predators away from your garden or deter them with bells, spikes, or fences. You can also keep your dog on a leash or train it not to chase birds.
- Enjoy watching and listening to robins in your garden without disturbing them. You can observe their behavior, learn their songs, and take photos of them. You can also join a birdwatching group or a citizen science project to learn more about robins and contribute to their conservation.
Robins are wonderful birds that can brighten up your garden with their presence and song. By following these tips, you can provide them with a safe and comfortable habitat and enjoy their company all year round.
Conclusion
Robins are amazing birds that can bring joy and beauty to your garden. They have a varied and adaptable diet that changes with the seasons and the availability of food sources. You can help them thrive by providing them with suitable food and water, as well as creating a habitat that meets their needs and preferences. By doing so, you can also benefit from their services as pest controllers, pollinators, and seed dispersers. Robins are not only charming birds, but also valuable allies for your garden and the environment.
