American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Turdidae
The classic thrush of American lawns — but far more complicated than 'the bird that comes back in spring.' Many NJ robins never leave; they gather in swampy woods for the winter and switch from earthworms to native berries. Robins are the primary seed disperser for American Holly.
How to spot one.
9–11 inches, upright posture
Warm rust-orange breast (paler and duller in females and first-year birds)
Dark gray back and head
White eye arcs above and below the eye
Yellow bill, dark legs
What it sounds like.
Cheerful liquid caroling — 'cheerily-cheer-up-cheerily.' One of the first birds to sing in the pre-dawn spring chorus.
How it lives.
Ground forager in warm months — tips head to spot earthworms visually, then pulls them out. In winter, forms large loose flocks that roam suburban and coastal woods stripping berries from hollies and cedars. Nests on horizontal branches, ledges, and in shrubs.
The spec sheet.
- Status
- Year-round resident
- Size
- 9–11 inches
- Present in NJ
- Year-round
- Native to NJ
- Yes
- Conservation status
- abundant
- Family
- Turdidae
What it eats.
Diet often shifts dramatically between breeding season and the rest of the year — especially for insectivorous birds that pivot to native berries in fall and winter.
Summer / breeding season
Earthworms (the classic)
Beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers
Native berries as they ripen (serviceberry, mulberry, cherry)
Fall / winter
American holly berries (primary winter food)
Eastern Red Cedar berries
Hackberry, black cherry, sumac
Virginia creeper berries
Winterberry
What it needs.
Native plants that feed this bird or provide shelter. Names in hydrangea link to the plant’s Field Guide entry.
Fruit / berry source
Fruit / berry source
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Fruit / berry source
Eastern Red Cedar
Fruit / berry source
Winterberry Holly
Fruit / berry source
Wild cherries
Fruit / berry source
Sumac (Rhus)
Fruit / berry source
NJ Conservation Foundation · All About Birds (Cornell)
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