Birding/Robins in Michigan

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/8/2011


Question
We have been watching a group (flock?) of 6 or 7 robins in the trees of our back yard. We usually don't see any around our area, Detroit suburbs, until March. At that, the robins are most commonly in pairs. How unusual is to see these bird here in January, and in a group?

Answer
You are at the northern end of the Robins' winter range, but with global warming, birds are wintering farther north. It is not at all unusual to see robins in flocks in the winter - even flocks of dozens of robins is not unusual. In the spring when nesting season begins, you see them in pairs. I think if you look, now that you know, you'll find lots of robins in lots of flocks.  

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.