Our beloved and ubiquitous American Robin has a counterpart in Europe, the European Robin. 

Beloved in England and Ireland, these songbirds share a similar appearance and behaviors, but are actually different species. The American Robin belongs to the Thrush family, stocky birds with large eyes; while the European Robin belongs to the Old World Flycatcher family who are specialized to catch insects in flight.

Both songbirds primarily eat insects, earthworms, spiders and small invertebrates during the late spring through fall. During the winter, they rely on seeds and berries. They both have vibrantly colored breast feathers, while the European Robin has a bright orange face, shorter “bib" and brownish back, the American Robin’s face matches its grayish back. The American Robin is also larger, 8 1/2-11 inches compared to the 5 1/2-inches of the diminutive European Robin.

Our American Robin got its name from European settlers, who were delighted to see the familiar vibrant coloring of their beloved “Robin”.

To learn how the European Robin got its name:

How Robins Got Their Name

To discover more about the European Robin:

European Robin

To discover more about the similarities and differences between the two robins:

What's the Difference?: American Robin vs. European Robin

Our American Robin has long been associated as a sign of spring. But this is not completely true. 

Robins are very adaptable. While some robins do migrate south from 60 miles up to thousands, they can be found throughout most of our country all year long.

During fall and winter, robins will gather in larger groups, leaving their roosting spots to seek out food sources. In summer, their diet is primarily insects, earthworms, spiders and small invertebrates. But in winter, they primarily survive on fruits, berries and as we saw this week, fare offered in bird feeders. At our house, they were especially attracted to shelled sunflower seeds. One interesting fact is that robins can extend their esophagus which allows it to store the berries to eat later during the cold winter nights.

One reason they have been associated with the arrival of spring is that during mating season which occurs in spring, the robins will leave the large groups and pair off, becoming more visible in our yards and landscapes.

A more accurate sign of spring is the return of the Red-Winged Blackbirds.

To discover more:

Are Robins an Early Sign of Spring?

While February and March are prime mating months for many of New Hampshire’s mammals, there is a strange phenomenon among some species where the fertilized, healthy egg(s) is put on hold before it(they) begins to develop and grow. This “layaway” can be from days to more than a year.

Called delayed implantation (embryonic diapause), these microscopic cells (blastocysts) basically float in the uterus instead of attaching to the female’s uterine wall. There it will remain until the female’s body determines its time for it to develop. Most members of the weasel family, seals, otters, skunks and bats are mammals that have varying cycles of delayed pregnancies. 

For example, black bears mate in the summer, but implantation doesn’t occur until the onset of winter, only after the females have had the chance to build up the their reserves of fat to sustain them over the long period of winter hibernation.

While still a puzzling phenomenon, Scientists have a number of theories on what triggers implantation, including hours of daylight to availability of nutritional resources.

To discover more:

Mothers-in-Waiting

February's holiday this week, Valentine’s Day, celebrates the love in our lives. But for a number of New Hampshire animals, there is “love in the air” as February is their mating season.

Actively seeking partners in February are bobcats, beavers, coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels and the rarely seen lynx. Great Horned owls are also actively courting, the earliest of our NH owls to do so.

Mating this time of year is a behavioral adaptation so the young will be born later in the spring. This ensures their young to be born during an optimal time where food is more abundant and the temperatures warmer, ensuring higher rates of survival. Larger mammals have a longer gestation period, so the winter season gives the time needed for the babies be born in better conditions.

To discover more:

New England Wildlife Tracking

For kids:

WildTimes for Kids: Winter Wildlife

It's a wonder that wild animals can survive harsh winter weather, especially with the bitter cold we have been experiencing. While we have heating systems and layers of clothes to keep us warm, animals have to rely on actions and adaptations to stay alive.

Hibernation is one behavior, migration is another, adding fat to their bodies for insulation against the cold, and staying active are other strategies.

On a hike yesterday, we observed trails of footprints in the snow that told us the “story” that a fox had been hunting, white footed mice scampered, and squirrels had sought shelter under rocks and up in trees. Squirrel tracks led right up to a tree then vanished…supposedly it climbed up into the tree. You can also see the fox tracks following. All of these animals remain active throughout the winter.

Our three true hibernators in New England are woodchucks, jumping mice and bats. Hibernation is where their heart rate slows down, breathing rate is decreased, and their core temperature drops while they sleep. Other animals like bears, chipmunks, skunks and raccoons will go into this state of dormancy, but unlike true hibernators, it doesn’t last as long. Animals in dormancy will emerge when the weather is milder and there isn’t much snow.

For kids:

WildTimes for Kids: Winter Wildlife