The American Robin

Who doesn't love robins? For most people, their presence is a welcome reminder that Spring is on the way. While robins can be seen almost everywhere, they are especially prevalent in the Mandan Park area because of the forest.  Every year, large groups of them flock together and winter in the park area, gradually moving back up to the neighborhood yards as spring approaches.  While robins are expert foragers and rarely come to bird feeders, there are some ways to increase their presence in your yard, so you can see them even more often.

Robin Fledgling (photo by SCB)

Food
While robins seem to subsist primarily on a diet of bugs (mostly worms!), there are several other food types that they do eat. The first is dry cat food.  I spread some of it out on a rock surface in my yard especially for them, and the same birds show up to eat almost every day.  (Incidentally, cardinals are also especially fond of cat food!)

Another food that robins like is grape jelly.  Every time I fill my oriole feeder, I somehow manage to spill some jelly underneath it, but I never give it a great deal of thought because it always quickly disappears. I assumed that the orioles and catbirds were eating it, but one morning I noticed a robin by the feeder.  Since then, I have noticed them around the feeder more, and now I know why!

Robins also like meal worms.  In the past, I have put them out for them, but all of the other birds like them so much, as well, that the robins actually got very few of them.

Water
Another way to attract robins to your yard is by putting out water.  Robins love birdbaths, and will also flock to any collection of water that you have in your yard, such as rain water collected in an old lid or even a dog dish.  Even a slightly dripping water faucet will attract them.

Robin Fledgling (photo by SCB)

Plants
Another good way to attract robins is by providing trees for them to nest in, and bushes and trees that provide food.  One of their favorite trees in my yard is my Bradford Pear.  Every fall, when the tiny fruits remain on the branches, they will literally strip the tree clean of them.  They also like crab apples, cherries and many different types of berries.

Do you have a tip for attracting robins to your yard? If so, please leave a comment!