BY MARY HAMMOND
We are very fortunate to live in a country that is also home to ‘redbreast’ Robins. Robins have many symbolic and spiritual meanings and have been known as a ‘spirit’ animal for thousands of years. Robins are best known as ‘Spring’ birds as they symbolise renewal or new birth, and if a Robin flies into your life, it can teach you many things. Robins can also symbolise ‘good luck’, something many of us need after 2020.
Robins have also been known to symbolise wisdom and patience. Someone is also considered ‘lucky’ if they are regularly visited by a Robin.
Robins are best known for their ‘song’, which is very distinctive even from a distance. Although both male & female Robins sing, it is very much a mating call from males to females, especially in the winter months.
Robins nest in April and August with sometimes two nests of up to 6 eggs going at the same time. Nests are built primarily by females. Male Robins assist in the building effort but only occasionally. If you can catch a Robin in the act of building its nest, chances are you’ve identified a female. Male Robins will care for the young at night during their first year. Female Robins use this time to incubate the second brood, but return during the day to feed and care for the hatchlings.
We often see our feathers friends when we are tending to the garden digging or de-weeding. A very friendly bird, Robins will often come closer to see what you are doing especially if you just happened to dig up their lunch! Robins are often found in or near woodlands and have an average lifespan of about 16 months in the wild with some longer in suburban areas.
It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between male and female robins with only the deeper rusty red colour for the male and a lighter reddish orange for the female. Male Robins tend to have darker black wings and tail feathers while females typically have a charcoal tone to their plumage.
So, if you are tending in the garden this month or taking a walk through the woodland and come across a Robin, you know with patience, luck is on your side and Spring is on the way.