How do Robins know? A question about Robin behaviour.

[Deb London]

Quick (possibly dumb) question about Robins, inspired by a recent Robin thread and Birds Britannia.

How come a male Robin knows that a female isn't a threat when a stuffed Robin placed in its territory can be given a real 'what for' (in a way that we can find very comical, since the stuffed bird doesn't look much like a Robin)?


Robin attacking a stuffed bird

I guess it's something in the way that they behave.

Thanks,

Deb

[moozy]

Very intresting question deb (and not dumb). Heres a a quote from A bad birdwatchers companion which sums them up to me :-

Robins are the birds that everyone knows, but their lives are complex, passionate, violent, spectacular, at times desperate and sometimes glorious. When you see a Robin, you see a red breast. But you see also the leading character in a strange and passionate drama.

Robins have been known to attack females (mistaken for a another male) and even there own reflection, I think it depends how scarce food supply is and the season, I bet the young robins are glad they dont have a red breast so they are often over looked adults

[Deb London]

Interesting, thanks Moozy. Good point about the juvenile not having the red breast. It makes perfect sense.

[slimrbp]

I have a good book on Robin behaviour, the name escapes me and I am on the train to work so cannot check.
If memory serves, the actual attack is a last resort. Before that there is a series of threat display. I assume the female reacts differently during the mating season.
When I get home tonight I will dig out the book title, it was an interesting read.

[Deb London]

Thank you slimrbp!

[slimrbp]

I managed to find the book name it's 'The life of the robin' by David Lack. It's out of print but I got a 2nd hand copy from a famous internet bookseller.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by slimrbp

If memory serves, the actual attack is a last resort. Before that there is a series of threat display. I assume the female reacts differently during the mating season.

Yes, it seems to all come down to posturing & responses. stuffed & model Robins get attacked because they refuse to back down to threats and fail to show that they are more dominant (funny that).

[PMG]

As Roy says its all down to posture (hands on hips and 'gob' going is sure to lead to bother - and I should know!!) whereas a bow or some other show of subservience or loyalty keeps the situation in check. FEmale robins hold territory in winter just like males - it would be interesting to know whether she is as feisty in defence as he when they meet at a boundary - I assume this might be so the fact that its been seen that males will kill a female if it comes to a fight ......... and perhaps the other way round too if he was an old cock and she a young hen? Who knows? Short of knowing which is which and ringing a few so behaviour can be monitored - and again - robins move about the country far more than we might think - so not a dumb question at all - quite a complex one in fact

[jetgirl]

I think it would be down to the body language of how Robin's communicate and probably the amount life experience that they have.

If you take the time to watch robins in your garden, it is quite easy to spot the intruder as it will act like one... especially when it comes to the feeding station.

I noticed how my robins would have favourite 'spots' to perch around the garden, an intruder robin would not be aware of the layout of the territory, therefore it would not follow the same pattern.

My female robin would often follow the way of the male robin, picking up on his characteristics. I guess acting with similar behaviour may help them identify with each other as a pair.

Just my humble understandings

[Jonners]

Originally Posted by PMG

As Roy says its all down to posture (hands on hips and 'gob' going is sure to lead to bother - and I should know!!) whereas a bow or some other show of subservience or loyalty keeps the situation in check.

Oh we could learn SO much from Robins