Songbird Saturday: the Robin

A natural-born performer, the Robin has to be one of the most visible songsters, thanks to its plucky and confiding nature; while many birds cease singing when people approach, this vivacious vocalist seems to enjoy the audience.

Of course, as is the case with other birds, the Robin is not singing for our benefit – though its beautiful song really does brighten the dullest of winter days. These viciously territorial birds often start their disputes with males singing forcefully at each other (or what they think is another - see video below), at the same time trying to get a higher perch to show their red breast (a threat display!) more prominently. If vocal displays of aggression don’t do the trick and the dispute escalates, fighting will often ensue and this can result in injury or even death.

Part of the reason the Robin’s song is one of the most familiar is also because not only are these birds common and widespread, found in the countryside and more urban areas, in woodland to gardens, but they also sing for the majority of the year (except when moulting) and for most of the day. Like the Blackbird, the Robin will often be one of the first in the dawn chorus and one of the last still heard at night.

This prolific singing has a survival function – as these short-lived birds strive to hold territories even outside of breeding season. While their song might sound tuneful and mellow to us, to other Robins it’s a veritable war cry.

If the Song Thrush is known for repetition, then the Robin is the master of variation. The song comprises numerous high-pitched, drawn-out notes, which rapidly descend in pitch while speeding up. There is a procession of unique verses with no repetition and a nice flow, with an allowance for inter-verse pauses! With quick verses, slow verses, loud ones and soft ones, variation is the name of the game here, making this melancholic but perky song a treat for the senses. One of just a few birds singing in winter, their song cuts through crisp, cold winter air. By spring, there might be more songbirds around but the Robin’s song becomes even richer and more varied so again it’s impossible not to be in awe of it.