Key information about the UK’s birds and their changing fortunes, based on data collected by BTO and partner organisations.
Robin
Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758)
R.
ROBIN 10990
Family: Passeriformes > Muscicapidae
The Robin's red breast and habit of living close to humankind makes it one of our most familiar birds.
Robins are widely distributed in Britain & Ireland throughout the year, from Shetland to the Channel Islands, apart from on the highest mountain tops. Robin breeding numbers increased through the last part of the 20th century and have been fairly stable since, albeit with some fluctuations.
The Robin is both a resident and also a migrant visitor to Britain during the winter months, when birds from northern and eastern Europe help to swell numbers. During particularly cold weather this pugnacious little bird can be seen sharing bird tables with several other Robins, all of them trying to defend the food source they have found.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Robin
Contrary to popular opinion, Nightingale is not the only bird that sings at night. In fact, due to its recent decline, you are more likely to hear other birds singing after dark. This video illustrates the difference in song between the four most common 'Night Singers' - Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush and of course, Nightingale.
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Robin, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Alarm call
Song
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Robins have increased markedly since the mid 1980s, according to both CBC/BBS and CES results, having been set back earlier by a succession of cold winters. The CES and BBS data show that marked and significant annual fluctuations occur in numbers, perhaps in response to winter weather, although these are not evident in the smoothed trends: numbers dropped sharply between 2008 and 2012 when three severe winters occurred, but recovered quickly, a further drop occurred following severe weather in February/March 2018 (the 'Beast from the East'). The BBS map of change in relative density between 1994-96 and 2007-09 indicates that increases were strongest over that period in northwestern Britain, while some decrease occurred in Cornwall and south Devon. There has been an increase across Europe since 1980 (PECBMS: PECBMS 2020a>).
UK breeding population
+45% increase (1967–2020)
Exploring the trends for Robin
Our Trends Explorer will also give you the latest insight into how the UK's Robin population is changing.
Robins are widespread throughout Britain & Ireland, breeding in 94% of all 10-km squares, and absent only from some of the Scottish islands and from exposed uplands. Densities are highest in Ireland and southern England and lowest in the uplands, especially above 400 m elevation.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
There has been a 2% range expansion since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas, with gains in the Outer Hebrides, Caithness and the Northern Isles, probably aided by increased tree planting. Atlas data and other evidence points to an increase in Robin densities in many parts of the UK.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11 More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11)
Robin is a common and widely recorded species, present on almost 70% of complete lists, though recording dips in late summer after breeding.
Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells) and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
The causes of change are uncertain as detailed analyses have not been undertaken, but the number of fledglings per breeding attempt increased concurrently with the population increase, whilst survival measures were unchanged, suggesting that increased productivity is the most likely driver.
Further information on causes of change
Improvements have occurred during the period of population increase in the numbers of fledglings per breeding attempt, as measured by nest record data, with a reduction in nest failure rates at the egg stage, although CES productivity measures have been relatively unchanged. The number of fledglings per breeding attempt has decreased more recently which may relate to density-dependent effects. Survival rates, as measured by CES, appear stable. Laying dates have advanced by more than a week since the 1960s.
Information about conservation actions
There are currently no conservation concerns about the Robin, and numbers have increased consistently since the mid-1980s, apart from a brief dip between 2008 and 2012 which was likely to have been caused by severe winter weather. Therefore, no specific conservation actions are currently required to benefit the Robin.
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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