Feather Identifier app iconFeather Identifier
American Robin
Contour feather (body covert)

American Robin

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae, Genus: Turdus, Species: T. migratorius

Family: Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

Shape
Symmetrical vane, rounded tip, overall oval-elongated outline.
Size
Approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. Consistent with a standard breast or flank contour feather for a medium-sized thrush.
Rarity
Very Common
Learn more about American Robin in the encyclopedia →

Found a feather like this?

Identify any feather from a photo, free.

Identify a feather

Description

The American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family, famous as a harbinger of spring. Adults feature a dark gray back, a yellow bill, and a striking brick-red to orange breast. They are active foragers often seen hopping across lawns in search of earthworms.

Colour & Pattern

Rich warm terracotta or brick-red coloration across the pennaceous vane, with greyish-white downy barbs at the base. Melanin-based pigmentation typical of adult breast plumage.

Barb Structure

Pennaceous upper vane with tightly interlocked barbicels transitioning into a plumulaceous (fluffy) downy base at the proximal end. No prominent afterfeather.

Texture & Surface

Soft yet relatively firm vane at the tip, transitioning to a fluffy, downy texture at the base. Matte finish.

Key Features

Distinctive warm terracotta-red coloration on a small, rounded contour feather with a fluffy grey base, characteristic of the robin's iconic breast plumage.

Habitat

Found in woodlands, forests, suburban areas, parks, gardens, and agricultural fields throughout North America.

Geographic Range

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

Ecological Role

Acts as an important seed disperser for various berry-producing shrubs and trees, and serves as a key prey species for medium-sized raptors and mammals.

Similar Species

Other thrushes such as the Varied Thrush or Eastern Bluebird, though breast feather coloration and geographic context usually differentiate American Robin feathers.

Interesting Facts

American Robins can eat up to 14 percent of their body weight in earthworms every day, along with large quantities of berries which can occasionally ferment and intoxicate the birds.

Condition Notes

Good condition. The vane is largely intact with minimal fraying, showing standard wear typical of a naturally molted body feather.