Feather Identifier app iconFeather Identifier
American Robin
Contour body feather

American Robin

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Family: Turdidae (Thrushes)

Shape
Symmetrical vane, rounded tip, soft oval outline
Size
Approximately 1.5 inches long, consistent with a breast or underpart contour feather of a medium-sized songbird.
Learn more about American Robin in the encyclopedia →

Found a feather like this?

Identify any feather from a photo, free.

Identify a feather

Description

The American Robin is a familiar migratory songbird known for its cheerful song, dark head, yellow bill, and bright brick-red breast. This soft contour feather showcases the classic warm orange hue typical of the underparts.

Colour & Pattern

Vibrant rusty-orange to rufous tip grading into slate-gray or brownish-gray at the base with white barb edges.

Barb Structure

Pennaceous at the upper tip transitioning into plumulaceous (fluffy) downy barbs at the base; barbs are relatively loose and flexible.

Rachis & Barb Pattern

Thin, delicate, pale whitish-brown central rachis with flexible, widely spaced barbs extending at a moderate angle.

Texture & Surface

Soft, silky, and pliable with a matte finish, lacking the stiff rigidity of flight feathers.

Feather Placement

Breast or upper flank, suggested by the characteristic rufous-orange coloration transitioning to grayish tones.

Key Features

Distinctive warm rufous-orange color blending cleanly into slate gray at the base, characteristic of robin breast or flank feathers.

Habitat

Found in woodlands, forests, suburban yards, parks, gardens, and agricultural fields across North America.

Geographic Range

Breeds across most of North America from Alaska down to central Mexico, wintering mainly in the southern US and Mexico.

Ecological Role

Acts as an important seed disperser and soil health indicator through foraging on earthworms and fruit-bearing trees.

Similar Species

Other thrushes or towhees, but the specific shade of rust-orange combined with gray and small songbird size helps separate it.

Interesting Facts

Despite being considered harbingers of spring, many American Robins actually winter in northern areas, shifting their diet from earthworms to berries.

Cultural Significance

Symbol of spring and renewal in North American folklore; feathers and bird imagery frequently appear in indigenous art and stories.

Field Identification Tips

Often found on lawns, under bushes, or near nesting sites in suburban gardens during spring and summer molting seasons.

Condition Notes

Good condition, fresh barbs with minimal wear or fraying, showing intact structure.