American Robin Nestling Development
Photos of Baby Robins from Eggs to Fledgling
Wilma & Fred's 2nd Clutch, 2015
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Article Summary: Photo record documenting the development of a brood of American robins, nesting under the backyard deck of a southwest Michigan home. This page features Wilma's second 2015 brood.
Every year American robins nest under the deck of our home. We've watch nests succeed and fail over the years, but have never documented development of the chicks. This spring and summer of 2015, we are photo-documenting the nests of two pairs of robins.
American Robin Chick Development: Wilma 2015- 2
Wilma laid her third and last egg of this second clutch on Friday, June 26th.
Clutch of Eggs
6/26/15
We have many photos of the nests we are following. This page features Wilma & Fred's second nest of the 2015 season. Click the link below to learn about American robins and see photos of Betty & Barney's four nestlings!
American Robin
Nesting Facts
Scientific name:
Turdus migratorius
# eggs in clutch: 3 - 5
# clutches: 1 - 3
incubation of eggs:
~2 weeks
nestlings fledge:
~2 weeks
Wilma & Fred's 2nd clutch finished hatching 16 days after the last egg was laid. Their nestlings fledged 13 days after hatching.
Wilma & Fred's 2nd Brood
They reused their former nest located under side portion of deck, facing north, 45 inches (114.3 cm) above the ground, built on top of the home's electric meter.
Young children are natural born scientists, full of curiosity! Join the at-home experiments and explorations of a scientist mom & her kids.
Although nests in this location have failed in the past, this pair of robins have successfully fledged two broods from the same nest. The nest is located under our deck, near a bird feeding area, and is very visible. This spring, we hung a Boston fern in front of the most exposed area of her nest, to better camouflage it.
Chicks Began Hatching!
7/12/15
The first chick hatched 16 days after last egg was laid. Only two of the three eggs hatched. The third was a "dud".
BULLFROG UPDATE!
Latest Tadpole News
2/3/2015
Sad news today. Lumpy, the little bullfrog we raised from a tadpole 2 years ago, died of unknown causes today.
Ribbit-In-Peace buddy!
Thanks for showing us how cool frogs are!
> See Lumpy's Story
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American robin female, Wilma, above in tree, guarding nearby nest.
What To Wear When Monitoring Nest of
Aggressive Robin Parents
Fred and Wilma very physically defend their nest, by biting and scratching. When I go to quickly take a picture of the nest everyday, I now wear a big hooded winter coat for protection.
More Information on the American Robin
Cornell Ornithology Lab recommends that, when monitoring a nest, you check it only every 3 - 4 days, to minimize disrupting the birds and avoid attracting predators. At SPO, we do check our nests more often, to get photos for science education. Visit the Cornell Ornithology Nest Watch website to learn how to observe nests safely.
We went out of town for a few days, so do not have photos of nestling development day 6 - 9.
By day 13, one of the nestlings had fledged.
The last nestling fledged by July 14th, leaving the unhatched egg.
We disposed of the old egg, hoping the robins might reuse this nest again.
Become a citizen scientist and help Cornell track birds and nests!
American Robin
Alarm Call!
Listen to the alarm calls and attack from Wilma and Fred, as I approach to take photos of nest.