Robins being Territorial?

[big bill]

I was under the impression that the Robin was a territorial bird and would chase off any other Robin that came into its area?
The reason that I am asking this question that for the last 3 days I have had 3 of them visiting the garden and feeding quite happily with no squabbles,couyld this be to do with the harsh weather conditions or what

[angelika611]

I have seen robins together,i think this is around the time they start pairing up.

[rossy]

also possible 1 is a male and the other 2 are females, and he hasnt decided whos going to be his mate, rossy.

[Jacqui/Craig]

Sorry if this appears to be a stupid question (very new to all this), but how can you tell the difference between male and female robins? Is it simply that the female is smaller? We have one particular robin who is quite small and have wondered if it is a female?

[Madmills]

I have robins here that are horribly territorial, they dive bomb all other small birds, not just their own species.

[mammalrecorder]

All robins regardless of sex hold territory in the winter and will normally defend it very violently however in prolonged bad weather it is not unusual to have more than one robin feeding in the same garden. I am guessing that you feed your birds and that not everyone else in your area does. I am currently getting five robins visiting in a small village in Scotland but they generally take it in turns to access the actual feeder and space themselves out in the snow free areas under hedges and trees.

As for sexing!!! Telling the sex of birds outwith the breeding season is notoriously difficult even in the hand unless of course their plumage does it for you. Your small robin may just be a small male. There is no particular sexual dimorphism in robins so wait until summer and see who feeds who and who broods the eggs.

Hope this helps.

Andy

[Jacqui/Craig]

Originally Posted by mammalrecorder

All robins regardless of sex hold territory in the winter and will normally defend it very violently however in prolonged bad weather it is not unusual to have more than one robin feeding in the same garden. I am guessing that you feed your birds and that not everyone else in your area does. I am currently getting five robins visiting in a small village in Scotland but they generally take it in turns to access the actual feeder and space themselves out in the snow free areas under hedges and trees.

As for sexing!!! Telling the sex of birds outwith the breeding season is notoriously difficult even in the hand unless of course their plumage does it for you. Your small robin may just be a small male. There is no particular sexual dimorphism in robins so wait until summer and see who feeds who and who broods the eggs.

Hope this helps.



Andy

Thanks for the info I think we must have very friendly/sociable robins as they happily 'allow' other birds to feed nearby!