robin behaviour

[rupersia]

There have been 2 robins in my garden for the last 3 weeks, they
feed together from the fatball feeder (sharing with the tits) and do not appear to fight. Are they a mated couple from last summer? Could they be a parent and young from last year? I thought that robins held their territory alone in the winter and would defend it from another robin. Is this unusual
behaviour?

[Dogghound]

They are most likely a pair or could be continental birds which are not holding territory. They are unlikely to be a resident adult and its young.

[wizzo]

Hi Rupasia and welcome to WAB - Wizzo

[greenace233]

Hi

welcome, im in suffolk and i have seen robins fight several times. i also saw two colloured doves mating today, bit early to be pairing off, so it could be possible for 2 robins but highly unlikely. very cute but very bossy. my robin lets me know by his/her calls that his around, nested in the shed last year so had to leave the window open, thank god we never got burgled. but all 4 fledged. arrrr !

[Red Robin]

In spite of my name being Robin I'm not an expert on them. I have regularly observed one particular solitary Robin in my garden since last Summer - I'm able to recognise his markings through binoculars. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens this year and of course will report here.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by greenace233

i also saw two colloured doves mating today, bit early to be pairing off, so it could be possible for 2 robins but highly unlikely

Collared Doves have been recorded breeding all year round and have a very different biology to robins. They dont require the large amount of invertebrates robins need to feed their young. They can create a type of crop milk (not true milk) from seeds which they feed their young.

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Collared Doves have been recorded breeding all year round and have a very different biology to robins. They dont require the large amount of invertebrates robins need to feed their young. They can create a type of crop milk (not true milk) from seeds which they feed their young.

....That's very interesting to learn about them being able to breed all year round. No wonder their population has grown so quickly. I have a regular pair in my garden (SouthWest England) and they are extremely well mannered towards the other birds. Very much doves of peace rather than fat greedy pigeons.

[greenace233]

Hi

Well thats something i haved learnt today, i didnt know collared doves breed all year round. so thank you. And mine too have very good table mannors. I have a lame wood pigeon, its leg doesnt sit straight. Its been about since july so must be a deformaty perhaps. eats well but very shy.

[Sherrang]

Is it unusual behaviour for 2 male robins to feed together without fighting?

We have had a pair of male robins in our garden all winter that do not fight and have been feeding each other from the fatballs at our feeding station. Now that it is Spring and most birds are pairing there do not appear to be any female robins in sight and the feeding continues. Is this unusual given that Robins are normally territorial?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Sherrang

Is it unusual behaviour for 2 male robins to feed together without fighting?

We have had a pair of male robins in our garden all winter that do not fight and have been feeding each other from the fatballs at our feeding station. Now that it is Spring and most birds are pairing there do not appear to be any female robins in sight and the feeding continues. Is this unusual given that Robins are normally territorial?

How do you know they are 2 males? The 2 sexes are identical, so maybe they are a true pair?