American Robin - - (Turdus migratorius)

Wildlife Note Card Photography by Steven Holt

A harbinger of spring through most of the northern United States and Canada, the American Robin generally arrives soon after the snows melt and the ground softens. True to their Latin name migrantorius, some American Robins migrate as far north as the tree line of the arctic tundra and as far south as Guatemala. Robins are notorious for pulling earthworms from the soil, but also eat fruit and insects. The American Robin's relationship with humans has been mixed. Robins were once widely hunted in the southern United States and in the 1950's many robins died after eating earthworms which had processed DDT-coated leaves. But robins have also benefitted from the irrigation of the short-grass prairie and desert west and, during summer months, can now be found throughout most of North America. When American Robin breed twice in a Summer the male continues to feed the semi-independent first brood while the female sits on the second brood of eggs.

Special thanks to Keith Iding for scanning the cards.