A constant presence in our gardens and local green spaces, adult robins are instantly recognisable by their red breast with many tales from folklore of how they acquired their colourful feathers. The red colour features in its scientific name, Erithacus rubecula, and in many languages such as robin goch in Welsh, rouge-gorge in French, and el petirrojo in Spanish.

If orange had been recognised as a colour at an earlier point in history, I wonder if robins would have been called something else?

Their association with Christmas cards is thought to be inspired by Victorian postmen dressed in their red uniforms, who were nicknamed ‘robins’.

Robin facts

The good news is that robins have a healthy population of around 7 million territories in the UK and can be found in most areas, usually singing from a good perching spot.

The robin’s ability to make use of a variety of habitats has undoubtedly helped to ensure its population growth.

Their fiercely territorial behaviour during the breeding season continues in winter, which means that you’re probably seeing the same robins in your area all year round.

In my garden, we share a resident pair with our neighbour and there are frequent duels with other birds.

Robins can often be heard singing at dusk and even into the night, particularly near streetlights.

They are a member of the chat family, which also includes species such as stonechat and nightingale.

Robins will feed on insects and worms during the spring and summer but will supplement with fruits and seeds during the autumn and winter as these are more readily available.

The robin’s lifespan is quite short, at around 2 years, but they pack in lots of adventures during that time.

Whilst many robins remain with us throughout the year, there are a small number that venture to warmer climes during the winter. This includes short hops across the channel to France and Spain.

Conversely, our winter population can increase with visiting robins from Europe, particularly Scandinavia. This is more likely in years with especially cold winters.

Robin folklore

Robins are often associated with good luck or new beginnings. There is also a frequently used phrase that ‘when robins are here, loved ones are near’ which some believing that robins have a role as a messenger.

In Norse mythology, the robin is sometimes referred to as the storm-cloud bird which was sacred to Thor.

Helping robins

During the winter, feeding the birds helps to supplement natural food sources for robins. Particular favourites are mealworms, but they will also enjoy fat balls and seeds. Robins are more likely to feed on the ground or on bird tables but will occasionally venture onto feeders.

If you have a garden or local green space, planting to attract insects is a good way to help robins through the year.

We have a few log piles which also provide a good supply of invertebrate food, for robins and lots of other wildlife.

Installing a nestbox also helps to provide them with a safe space to nest, and to roost in winter. Bear in mind that robins are very territorial during the breeding season, so a single breeding pair is usually the most to expect in a typical garden.

However, robins can produce more than one brood each year, providing great opportunities to see the fledglings develop. We have had juvenile robins in our garden over the last couple of years with their mottled chest that lacks the red colouring of the adult birds.

Robins will also nest in shrubs and other natural spaces where they feel safe, using moss and dead leaves to make a cup-shaped nest.

If you’re taking a quiet walk or spending time in an outdoor space over the Christmas period, look out for a friendly robin. There’s probably one nearby, about to burst into song.