American robin nest with three eggs.

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
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American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs.
American robin nest with three eggs. American robin nest with three eggs.

Page last updated 7/2015
Wilma laid her third and last egg of this second clutch on Friday, June 26th. 

Clutch of Eggs
6/26/15
Wilma's nest 
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. 

American robin female, Wilma, in tree, guarding nearby nest.
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. 

Home School Science! 
Young children are natural born scientists, full of curiosity! Join the at-home experiments and explorations of a scientist mom & her kids.
Kid's Watching Moon Jellies
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BACK TO American Robin Nestling Chick Development - Page 1
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".

American robin hatchlings.
American robin, same day as hatcling, begging for food.
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 
on the Tadpole
 Metamorphosis Page

Bullfrog That Recently Completed Metamorphosis
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Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis 
Main Page









See our butterfly garden and the monarchs that complete part of their life cycle there. Learn how to attract Monarch Butterflies to your yard!
Monarch Butterfly newly emerged from cocoon.
American robin nestlings begging for food.
American robin hatchlings.
Day 3
7/14/15 

American robin hatchling chicks 3 days old
American robin female on nest with two chicks visible.
American robin female, Wilma, above in tree, guarding nearby nest.
Day 5
7/16/15 

What to wear when photographing a robins nest
What To Wear When Monitoring Nest of 
Aggressive Robin Parents
American robin nestlings 5 days old.
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. 
Hoe to Kill Kitchen Bacteria & Sanitize Surfaces
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. ​


Day 4
7/15/15 

American robin female sitting on nest.
American robin nest with three eggs.
Day 1 
7/12/15

Day 2 
7/13/15

American robin nestlings.
American robin nestlings.
Day 10
7/21/15

American robin nestling the day before fledging.
Day 11
7/22/15

Day 13
7/24/15


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.
Abandoned American robin nest with one old unhatched egg.
Day 14
7/25/15

American robin female sitting on nest.
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. 
Day 14
7/25/15

Become a citizen scientist and help Cornell track birds and nests!

Nest Watch!
American robin female making alarm call.
American Robin 
Alarm Call! 
Listen to the alarm calls and attack from Wilma and Fred, as I approach to take photos of nest.