robin

Robin is a common name used for several small birds and, more broadly, as a given name. The two best-known birds referred to as robins are the European robin and the North American robin.

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small passerine about 12 to 14 centimeters long. It is easily recognized by its orange-red breast and face, with olive-brown upperparts and a pale belly. It occurs across Europe and into western Asia and inhabits woodlands, gardens, and hedgerows. Robins are territorial and often sing year-round, especially at dawn and in winter, using song to defend their territory. Their diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates in the breeding season, supplemented by fruits and seeds at other times. They typically nest in shrubs or low vegetation, laying a small clutch of eggs that are blue.

The North American robin (Turdus migratorius) is larger, about 25 centimeters in length, with a gray-brown back and a bright orange-red breast. It belongs to the thrush family and is widely distributed across North America, with migratory behavior in northern areas. Robins feed on earthworms, insects, fruits, and berries, and they frequently visit lawns and urban areas. Nesting takes place in trees, where a cup-shaped nest is built and blue eggs are laid.

Etymology and usage: the name robin likely derives from a diminutive of Robert in English. In culture, robins are a symbol of spring and renewal in Europe and North America. The term also functions as a given name and appears in various fictional characters, most notably Robin, the comic-book companion of Batman.