That flash of brick-red against brown grass is unmistakable. You glance out the window, and there it is—your first robin of the season.

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It’s more than just a bird sighting. It’s a signal that winter is loosening its grip and spring is starting to unfold right in your own backyard.

Why That First Robin Feels Like Spring’s Official Kickoff

The residents of Alaska will sometimes mark the arrival of spring by when they see the first American Robin arrive. Some Robins stick around during mild winters, especially if there are leftover berries.

However, if the weather is too cold, the birds will migrate to the south. You’ll most likely hear American Robins in the spring.

They string about 10 steadily repeated whistles together. Children are often taught to recognize a robin by listening for, “Cheerily, cheer up!

Cheer up! Cheerily, cheer up!” The song is much faster in the morning than it is later in the day, and in addition to the cheer-up song, robins also make tuk, chirr, and chirp sounds.

In New Mexico, American robins appear in flocks during spring. Due to their social behavior, American robins are naturally attracted to areas that people frequent, including lawns, farmland, towns, and cities.

Confirm It’s a Robin and Spot the Key Details

The adult American Robin is quite easy to identify, with its orange belly, grey back, and yellow bill. It’s a medium-sized bird that you’ll see in various places.

American Robins are one of the most beautiful and widespread backyard birds in America. The thrush is known for its rusty orange coloring on the bird’s breast and underparts.

The robin’s head and back have a dark grey to black color. The most obvious difference between a robin and a sparrow is their size.

Robins are about twice the size of a sparrow. Sparrows also have more color variation in their plumage than robins do, ranging from brown and grey to black and white.

Simple Steps to Welcome Robins to Your Backyard Right Now

Some birds love having feeders to snack from—American Robins only need a lawn. For American robins, a lawn is a feast full of appetizing food, especially delicious worms.

Given how active this bird is, insects in the grass have little chance of getting away. If you do have a birdfeeder, add some sunflower seeds, raisins, and a couple of apple slices.

If not, American robins typically feed on earthworms, mealworms, and other insects. You can also install a nest box to attract two breeding robins.

Before doing that, make sure to check the breeding season of American robins in your area.

Observe Robins Up Close and Watch for Nesting Season

Robins may not be as flashy as cardinals, but they are still easily recognizable. I especially love helping kids learn to spot robins and watch as they build their nests, hatch their eggs, and raise their babies.

Some birds raise multiple broods in a given nesting season. Robins, for example, may have two or three broods in a given breeding season, according to the University of Michigan.

First robin checklist