Robin feeding habits

nightowl57 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 07:41 PM

I have had a resident Robin in my garden, who then had offspring, (well I assume it was its offspring) two chicks, one of which has taken over the garden. The youngster has taken to feeding from the bird feeder which I have not seen others do before, they usually ground feed, but not from the feeder, is this unusual?

Ollie · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 08:04 PM

I have at least two possibly three Robins, difficult to tell them apart, that regularly use my hanging feeders especially in winter. They are very intelligent birds and soon learn how to adapt to a particular food source.

Jason Claxton · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 08:11 PM

Yes ,I've seen them taking sunflower hearts from the feeders in my garden.

nightowl57 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 08:16 PM

Thank you people, just I have never seen this before, the old Robin never went near the bird feeder, but interesting to know they adapt. We have one at work who regularly comes to my friends car in the car park and waits for her to throw her bread from her sandwiches, and she never parks in the same place twice, but he is always around when she has her lunch!!

sunnydale · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:04 AM

I snapped these Robins on the feeders in February this year - but until then, I'd never seen them feeding from it either!

Ukwildlifeo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:12 AM

A robin last winter used to hover at the seed feeder or fat ball and quickly grab some of it to eat. Fun to watch!

dunlin · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 08:04 AM

My dad used to feed one out of his hand. It always hung around a bush at the side of a lake, and my dad used to fish there every day, it got so used to him it would take maggots out of his hand. Amazing to watch.

I remember watching a program on the wildlife of the british isles and they mentioned that robins at one time would have followed wild boar whilst they where feeding and wait for them to unearth some morsel to eat. They have now transferred this behaviour to gardeners.
regards mark.........

Ukwildlifeo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunlin

I remember watching a program on the wildlife of the british isles and they mentioned that robins at one time would have followed wild boar whilst they where feeding and wait for them to unearth some morsel to eat. They have now transferred this behaviour to gardeners.
regards mark.........

Yes, in fact they still do this in Europe, where I've been told they don't follow gardeners around in the same way as they do here and are not as tame.

I've seen the boar following behaviour with captive boars at the New Forest otter and owl sanctuary and wildwood in Kent, and blackbirds doing it too

Geoff F · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 06:10 PM

While my garden robins much prefer eating from a flat topped table they will sometimes use a hanging feeder.

Last week, while walking along the South Devon Coast Path I saw a robin on a low bush in front of me; and refusing to move. So I slowly approached and tried to walk past around 5 ft away when it flew down and started feeding in my muddy footprints. When I stood still it came up to me and began pecking around my feet.

I'm not sure it was deliberately waiting for someone to walk past but in the NT car park about half a mile away they do come right up to parked vehicles and you have to be careful to avoid stepping on them.