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American Robin
Contour feathers and semiplumes, including breast and covert feathers

American Robin

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae, Genus: Turdus, Species: Turdus migratorius

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Family: Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

Shape
Symmetrical to slightly asymmetrical vanes, rounded tips, soft and flexible contour outlines
Size
Approximately 1 to 3 inches in length, consistent with medium-sized passerine contour and breast feathers
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Description

The American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family easily recognized by its warm orange breast, dark gray back, and cheerful morning song. The feathers shown exhibit the classic bright rusty-red breast coloration alongside greyish body contour feathers, reflecting a typical molting collection from this familiar backyard bird.

Colour & Pattern

Vibrant rusty-reddish orange combined with slate gray and brownish-grey, typical of adult American Robin plumage showing sexual or individual variation

Barb Structure

Pennaceous tips with plumulaceous bases, featuring soft downy barbs near the base without prominent afterfeathers, generally intact condition

Rachis & Barb Pattern

Slender, flexible, dark-to-light central rachis with fine, evenly spaced barbs radiating outward at moderate angles

Texture & Surface

Soft, silky, and pliable texture with matte finish on the grey portions and slightly glossy sheen on the rich orange tips

Feather Placement

Mixed body feathers including distinctive rich rusty-orange breast contour feathers and greyish-brown upperpart contour feathers

Key Features

Distinctive rich brick-red or rusty-orange coloration on the breast feathers combined with slate-gray to brownish-grey contour feathers

Habitat

Woodlands, forests, suburban gardens, parks, lawns, and agricultural fields across North America

Geographic Range

Widely distributed throughout North America, breeding from Alaska and Canada down to Mexico, wintering in the southern US and Central America

Ecological Role

Important seed disperser for various berry-producing shrubs and trees, and acts as an effective control agent for terrestrial insect pests

Similar Species

Varied Thrush or Eastern Bluebird, distinguished by more extensive orange patterns or contrasting blue dorsal hues

Interesting Facts

American Robins can eat large quantities of fruit and occasionally become intoxicated from fermented berries; they are also one of the earliest birds to sing at dawn

Cultural Significance

Represent the arrival of spring in North American folklore; feathers and bird imagery frequently appear in indigenous art and stories

Field Identification Tips

Look near lawns, shrubbery, and garden borders during late summer molt periods for scattered grey and rusty-orange body feathers

Condition Notes

Good overall condition, appearing as naturally molted feathers with minor wear along the edges