American robin perched on a branch in Canada

Season’s tweetings!. American robin

If this festive robin in the snow looks a little odd to you, that’s because it’s an American robin. While it shares its orange-red breast and name with Britain’s favourite bird, the larger US variety is a member of the thrush family – while the European robin is part of the Old World flycatchers family.

Found in woodlands, fields, parks and gardens across North America, this widespread songbird is often associated with the first sign of spring, but many American robins are still around in winter. You’re less likely to see them during the colder months because they spend more time roosting in trees and less time hopping across your lawn, as their diet shifts from earthworms and insects to berries and small fruits.