June 2, 2026

We are American Robins

If you love hearing our song

You can put structures in your yard for us to nest

But never put pesticides on your lawn.

(Because Robins dig in the dirt for worms, they are very susceptible to pesticides!)

Location: Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

February 1, 2026

I am an American Robin

One of the few Dee has seen this year

They are late in migrating to Florida

The food must be better up north than here!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://swibirds.org/blog/where-have-the-robins-gone

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

August 9, 2024

I'm an American Robin

You can find me from Alaska to the Florida Keys

In fact, anywhere in North America

Where there are invertebrates and berries to eat.

Location: Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Swanton, OH

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

June 14, 2023

We are baby American Robins

Clamoring for some food

Sometimes our mom brings us earthworms

But pollinators also make good baby bird food.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, MaryAnn Stone.

Location: Private residence, Indianapolis IN

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

Photo © 2023 MaryAnn Stone and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 12, 2023

This is the nest of an American Robin

It is made of twigs and grass in the shape of a cup

It can also include feathers, moss, and soft mud

And fine, dry grass to cushion birdy butts.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, MaryAnn Stone.

Location: Private residence, Indianapolis IN

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

Photo © 2023 MaryAnn Stone and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 17, 2023

I am an American Robin

We migrate to Florida, but we don't all survive

There are hazards along the way, such as predators

And, as my friend found out, power lines.

(David and I found the above bird directly under some power lines. There was no sign of predation, so we surmised that it must have hit the powerline during a period of low visibility, maybe night or fog.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/maps-range

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 14, 2022

Nature is full of love and desire

Remember this on Valentines Day

But just like Robins love bugs and worms

Predators love Robins too, in the same way.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 14, 2021

I am a baby American Robin

You can find me in woodlands, gardens and fields

Sometimes I like to visit my friend, George

And sit on his windshield.

(Thanks to today's very special guest photographer, my big bruddah George. He had to get out of the car and ask the bird to leave, the bird was fine.)

Location: private residence, Concord MA

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Turdus_migratorius/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 2, 2021

I am an American Robin,

What I eat varies based on time of day

For breakfast I tend to like earthworms

For dinner I like fruit at the Birdie café.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview#

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 15, 2020

Location: Private residence, Cocoa

I am an American Robin
Turdus migratorius is my Latin name
Turdus is not a slur or an insult,
"Thrush" and "Turdus" mean exactly the same.

And, for the record, "migratorius" simply means "migratory".

Sources: True Thrush

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 24, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Louisiana Ave

"Hey, you know, these Brazilian Pepper berries are fine, but I think they'd taste better if they were chocolate covered."

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 22, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Tennessee Ave.

"I was alone and friendless until I heard about Right Guard brand Wing Stick for Robins. I now smell spring fresh year round and have a whole flock of friends!"

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 12, 2017

Location: Sebastian, North County Regional Park

There have been a ton of Robins this year. Not sure if more than usual, perhaps I am just outside more this year.

One of the thing that always amazes me about Robins is how varied their plumages are. Some birds, like male Red Winged Blackbirds, have very distinct plumage, but in general, there is very little variation in the plumage between individual birds. With Robins though, I've see some with really crazy variations, to the point where had they not been hanging out with other Robins, I probably would not have been able to identify the bird. The funny thing is, when I Googled "American Robin" to find an example of this, I couldn't find any. It appears that most photographers look for the Robinyest looking Robin they can find, unlike me who looks for the odd balls, I guess because I can relate.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson