American Robin

The American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family, easily recognized by its warm reddish-orange breast, dark grey back, and yellowish bill. It is one of the most familiar and beloved backyard birds in North America, known for its cheerful morning song and habit of hopping across lawns in search of earthworms.

Distinct two-tone coloration with a grey-white upper vane and a vibrant reddish-orange tip and margin, typical of breast feathers

Pennaceous at the tip and upper margins with plumulaceous (fluffy) base underneath, intact barbs, delicate hooklets

Thin, white to pale grey central rachis, flexible, with evenly spaced barbs radiating outward at a moderate angle

Soft, silky texture with a matte finish, flexible vane, slightly fluffy at the base

Breast or underpart, exhibiting the characteristic bright reddish-orange coloration typical of the species' ventral side

Distinctive combination of greyish-white base and a warm, rusty reddish-orange tip or margin, characteristic of the breast plumage

Woodlands, forests, suburban gardens, parks, lawns, and agricultural fields across North America

Widely distributed throughout North America, breeding from Alaska and Canada down to Mexico, wintering mainly in the southern US and Central America

Serves as an important seed disperser for various shrubs and trees, and acts as a vital prey species for raptors, cats, and corvids

Other thrushes or towhees, though the specific rusty-orange and grey gradient on a small contour feather strongly points to the American Robin

American Robins can eat up to 14 percent of their body weight in earthworms and fruit daily. They sometimes become intoxicated after eating fermented honeysuckle or pyracantha berries.

Widely regarded as a harbinger of spring in North American folklore. As a common songbird, its feathers have limited historical or commercial use outside of scientific study.

Look on lawns, beneath shrubs, and around backyard gardens during spring and autumn molt seasons

Good condition, clean barbs with minimal wear, likely a naturally molted contour feather