Saw a robin feeding his mate

[Nickynockynoonoo]

It was so lovely to watch the robin taking chunks of fat cake and feeding his little lady. I've never seen this before. I suppose he is proving himself to be a good provider?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Nickynockynoonoo

It was so lovely to watch the robin taking chunks of fat cake and feeding his little lady. I've never seen this before. I suppose he is proving himself to be a good provider?

I occasionally see this- as you say proving his ability to be a good provider to any brood.

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by Nickynockynoonoo

It was so lovely to watch the robin taking chunks of fat cake and feeding his little lady. I've never seen this before. I suppose he is proving himself to be a good provider?

I have never seen this before but, today I did! It was great to watch!

[Bunnyrabbit]

I haven't seen this before........

[Ferret]

You can see this behaviour in a lot bird species from Birds of Prey down to passerines, hen House Sparrows will even actively beg like fledglings do, I think this is not so much the male proving himself, as pairing and mating has probably already taken place although it probably helps with pair bonding, as him feeding the female up so that she lays a larger clutch of eggs and that these all have a good rich yolk high in fats, minerals and vitamins resulting in more and healthier chicks.

Ferret.

[Nickynockynoonoo]

Thanks Ferret, that makes sense. Glad I put crushed egg shell in my last batch of fat cake

[Steve_In_Cheshire]

Originally Posted by Nickynockynoonoo

It was so lovely to watch the robin taking chunks of fat cake and feeding his little lady.

How do you know it was his little lady that he was feeding as robins are impossible to tell apart, they could be a couple of gay Robins.

[Cheryl]

I saw it too the other day after I found the dead fledgling and I thought it was something to do with that Now I know otherwise.

[Pam_M]

I watched for the first time Blue Tits doing the same last week! I have seen Robins doing the food passing in the past, I suppose most bird species do it but we just don't see it!

Lovely isn't it!