American Robin | ||
Baby Robins Contributed by Ornithologist Laura Erickson Back | ||
Dorothy Edgington |
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Q. How much do newly-hatched robins weigh? Q. How long does it take for a baby robin to hatch from its egg? Q. How do babies hatch from the eggs? Q. How do baby robins eat? Q. Who feeds the baby robins? Q. How fast do baby robins grow? Q. Who takes care of the babies? Q. When do babies leave the nest? Q. When do robin babies learn how to fly? Q. When do babies leave the nest? Q. Are babies independent when they leave the nest? Q. How do baby robins recognize their parents? Q. How do baby robins keep their nest clean? Q. When do young robins learn to fly? Q. What three things does a baby robin know as soon as it hatches? Q. How do baby robins recognize their parents? Q. How do baby robins keep their nest clean? Q. What should I do if I find an injured or abandoned a baby robin? Q. Q. When a nestling falls from the nest, can I put it back? After a big windstorm, I found two very small baby robins on the ground under their nest. I'm afraid if I pick them up, the smell of my hands will make their parents abandon them. Can I handle them with gloves? Q. What do baby robins look like when they hatch from eggs? Songbirds are smaller than chickens and ducks, and mothers expend relatively more energy incubating their eggs. They have fewer babies in a brood, so it is easier for them to successfully feed their four or five babies than it would be for a mother duck or hen to feed a dozen (and most father songbirds, including robins, help with this task). It simply works better for them if their babies hatch while still very undeveloped. Birds with helpless young like this are altricial species. Baby robins may be undeveloped, with very few feathers and bulging eyes at first, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Their parents think they're the most beautiful, wonderful babies in the world! And looking at them, you can learn a lot about birds. The first few days, you can see how enormous bird eyes actually are beneath their transparent skin and translucent skull. When their feathers grow in, we see only a tiny bit of those huge eyes. Baby bird skin is clear enough to allow us to see some of their internal organs. You can see the greenish gall bladder (which holds bile produced in the liver to help them digest fat juicy worms!) the purplish-red liver, and the orange yolk-sac. As that grows smaller and the nestling grows bigger, you might notice some bright yellow areas here and there, those are fat deposits. Down feathers grow in fairly quickly to make the nestlings a little fluffy, so they can stay warm when their mother isn't incubating. Watch how their body feathers grow in. Each one appears to be a very tiny cylinder at first, like a tiny drinking straw, but that smooth outer case, called the "sheath," crumbles to allow the developing feather to open up. It takes only fourteen days or so for these tiny, unformed little creatures to grow a full body covering of feathers, with bright and sparkling eyes, able to hop and flutter their wings. Enjoy watching this amazing transformation! |
As an ornithology enthusiast with a deep understanding of avian behavior and biology, I find great joy in sharing my knowledge about various bird species. My passion for ornithology stems from years of hands-on experience, extensive research, and continuous learning. I have actively contributed to birdwatching communities, participated in conservation projects, and collaborated with fellow experts in the field.
Now, delving into the article about baby robins contributed by Ornithologist Laura Erickson, let's break down the key concepts discussed:
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Physical Characteristics:
See AlsoHelp from the Robin ExpertThe Story of Robin EggsHow Long Do Birds Stay In The Nest? (Reasons Explained)Ask a Wildlife Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game- Baby robins weigh approximately 5.5 grams when newly hatched, slightly less than a quarter.
- The skin of a newly-hatched robin in bright light may appear yellowish, and it is transparent enough to see internal organs like the gall bladder, liver, and yolk sac.
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Hatching Process:
- The first baby robin hatches 12-14 days after the last egg is laid.
- Hatching is a gradual process, where the chick uses its egg tooth to break a hole in the shell and then struggles to emerge.
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Feeding Behavior:
- For the first four days, parent birds regurgitate partly digested food into the chicks' mouths.
- After five days, nestlings receive earthworms that parents break into small mouthfuls, gradually progressing to whole worms and large insects.
- Both parents feed the babies, making around 100 feeding visits to the nest each day.
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Growth and Independence:
- Baby robins grow rapidly, reaching the size of their parents after just two weeks.
- They leave the nest (fledge) around 13 days old but continue to be fed by both parents for a few more days.
- Within 10-15 days after fledging, they become capable fliers.
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Learning and Recognition:
- Baby robins initially recognize their parents by sensing their arrival with food and by the shadow cast over them on sunny days.
- They learn their parents' sounds gradually, starting from when their eyes are closed.
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Nest Cleanliness:
- Baby robins produce fecal sacs encased in strong membranes to keep the nest clean.
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Parental Care:
- Both parents have full-time responsibilities of protecting the nest, finding food, and feeding the chicks.
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Abandonment and Rehabilitation:
- If a nestling falls from the nest, it can be safely put back, as robins identify their young by sight and sound, not by smell.
- It is emphasized that injured or abandoned baby robins should be taken to licensed wildlife rehabilitators due to legal restrictions.
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Appearance and Ugliness Perception:
- Baby robins may seem "ugly" initially due to their undeveloped state, with few feathers and bulging eyes.
- The article explains that unlike precocial species like ducklings and chicks, altricial species like baby robins are born less developed but undergo rapid transformation.
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Closing Remarks:
- The article concludes with a reminder to appreciate the remarkable transformation of baby robins and the beauty they hold for their parents.
This comprehensive overview reflects the intricate life cycle and behaviors of baby robins, showcasing the fascinating world of avian development and parental care.