I learned some new things about robins this year. Apparently, robins lay one egg per day over a period of 4-5 days. They often let the eggs cool until all of the eggs are laid, and then sit (brood) on the nest. This way, the eggs all hatch around the same time. I did read one article that said they hatch in the order they were laid.
When we were in Leamington, Ontario in the spring, we saw a robin's nest with three eggs in it. The colour of the eggs is really fascinating to me - it's such a beautiful sky blue.
A couple of days later, we checked the nest again, and this time there were 5 eggs. Apparently this is more than the normal number and is rare. Sometimes another robin has actually laid one of the eggs.
The male robin does not sit on the nest, but stays close by. If the female gives a cry of alarm, the male will come to help her. The robins mate for the season and raise 2-3 nestings. They do not usually mate for life.
The female stays on the nest for about 12 - 14 days. She doesn't leave the nest except for short periods. Usually she gets her own food, but sometimes the male brings food to her.
Robins who manage to live past their first year might make it to 5 or 6 years at the most. Most migrate to the southern states, but some stay in Canada through the winter, and move around to different food sources. They eat fruit in the winter; insects and worms in the warmer weather.
We are so used to seeing robins in our area that we don't pay much attention to them. But their way of life is interesting when we look at it.
For by Him (God), all things were created ...
Colossians 1:16
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