Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/20/2010

Question
For the past 4-5 years, in the exact same location, Robins have built a nest and raised a family. (the nest is built on top of a motion-detecting light fixture, up above and just over from a small deck where I have my morning coffee. Our property is surrounded by many trees. This is in Southern Oregon, by the way) My question is: Is it the same pair each year?

Answer
I can't tell you for sure, but let me give you some facts. Robins typically live only 4-5 years, so the chances are good that one or the other (male or female) died in these past few years. Even if they both survived, they don't mate for life, so you might have had the same male for three or four years with one, two, three, or four different females. Or a female with several males (one per year), or some such configuration. Even if both died, there is a chance some of the young who hatched there might have come back to nest there. So, I'm willing to bet it is not the same pair each year, but there might be some overlap or other family involved.
One other fact; about 80% or more of robins that hatch this year will not survive to next year. That's typical of most songbirds. So if your robins hatch 5 eggs, the chances are that only one will make it to adulthood. Nature is tough on birds.