American Robins

The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow,

And what will poor robin do then poor thing?

He'll sit in the barn and keep himself warm

and hide his head under his wing, poor thing.

~16th Century British nursery rhyme using

the old English word 'doth'~

The American Robin is a member of the thrush family. "Thrush" means wanderer. Robins are the largest thrushes. This female (grey colored head, wings and tail feathers - male has black) was drinking at my fountain yesterday morning after I melted the ice covering. Robins migrate in large flocks in Autumn and can winter anywhere from Southern Canada to Guatemala. They return to their Summer homes in late Winter and begin to sing in April when they begin to pair. I've seen several robins in the garden and at the park this week. The good news, for those of you in the icy grip of Winter, is that it's already late Winter for Robins so Spring can't be far away!

Male Robin scratching through leaves at the curb.

Also at my fountain yesterday.......several Chickadees

...........and House Finches, this one above is a female. Later, a beautiful Eastern Bluebird arrived and I didn't have the camera handy.......I've been kicking myself ever since!

Edited: Today - Wednesday. Just caught Mr. House Finch visiting for a drink - looks like the slightly warmer day means the fountain needs topping up!

All images at the fountain were taken through the dining room window.

Please remember to feed your backyard birds during this cold weather, and supply fresh water if possible. Birds cannot keep up their body weight to fly and will die if they do not have food and water available.