An American Robin's Nest Photo Gallery

April 20

American Robin Nest

I spotted this nest as I came home from work one afternoon. I hadn't noticed it being built. The nest is about twenty feet above the ground. It's pretty bulky and untidy. There are twigs, string and grass stems. If it is an American Robin nest like I think it is, then it will be lined with mud. With these birds, the female builds the nest.

A Robin, most likely a female, incubates the eggs. She usually lays four blue eggs, sometimes five.Last spring I found a smooth, glossy empty half shell of an Robin's egg. The eggs are that distinctive color "robin's egg blue" that always reminds he of a turquoise stone.

The female usually incubates the eggs alone. The eggs take 11 to 14 days to hatch.

My father always said if a bird nest on your house, it is a sign of a happy home.

The chicks have hatched, five days after I notice the female incubating. The eggs usually take a total of 11 to 14 days to hatch.

What caused me to notice the chicks, the quiet little "peep-peep-peeping" as they begged for food. Okay, screeching more than peeping.

The nestlings are born helpless, naked and blind. They are wholly dependent on their parents for food and protection. Both parents, feed their chicks. Who could miss their gapping bright yellow mouths?

Five days later the chicks are close to fully grown. The parents can no longer fit on the edge of the nest. They stand on the ledge. The parents now feed the chicks and fly to the Bradford Pear tree on the sidewalk. They make peeping sounds. I guess to comfort the chicks and let them know a parent is close by.

The chicks grow very quickly. They leave the nest 11 to 14 days after hatching.

In this photo I like the beak of the chick in the back sticking straight up in the air. Sound asleep.

On my way to work, I noticed this lone juvenile robin left in the nest. The spotty upper chest is characteristic of the chicks. The growing red of the rusty breast confirms, whose chick this is.

I suspect that by the time I return home, the nest will be empty. I rather watch the bird take it's first flight than be cooped up in a building all day.

For the next fourteen days or so, the parents will continue to feed the chicks. Will the adults return to the nest for the next brood?

The nest is empty. This was the first brood of the season. I suspect that in about two weeks when the chicks are completely on their own, the Robin pair will raise another set of chicks.

The female is back on the nest incubating. The cycle begins again.

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