How to Attract American Robins to Your Yard – Expert-Approved Ways to Tempt Them in and Keep Them There
With their cheerful song and charming orange breast, these are popular birds to entice – discover how
The American Robin is a familiar sight across the U.S., but if you're not seeing many of these popular birds hopping across your lawn, there are some simple strategies you can employ that will attract them to your yard – and keep them there.
These early birds love catching worms, so there is much that gardeners can do to encourage robins in the springtime, whether they're year-round residents in your region or just back during the breeding season.
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Robins in the U.S.
'American Robins are short-distance migrants, and most head southward during the winter,' explains Yu Hsiang Yuka Wu, Project FeederWatch Assistant, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 'At the same time, many robins also remain in the north and survive by changing their diet from invertebrates to plant sources.'
American Robins can be found in every state in the Lower 48 States during the winter, and some areas in the Southern U.S. will only see robins during this time.
'Those that remain north often wander more in search of food, and spend more time in trees rather than on the ground,' says Yuka Wu. 'These robins are less vocal during the winter months, which makes them less noticeable.
'In the spring, with food resources becoming abundant once more up north, robins that migrated south return and can be found in large numbers digging up worms from yards and being more vocal.'
1. Grow Native Shrubs and Trees That Bear Fruits and Berries
If you enjoy watching our feathered friends, it's easy to rack up big bills for bird seed, nuts, and suet, yet it's entirely possible to feed birds without a feeder. It could even be argued that during spring, summer, and fall, it's better to provide the native plants, shrubs, and trees that bear or attract their natural diet.
'American Robins have an impressive ability to thrive in various habitat types, ranging from towns and cities to natural areas like mountain forests,' says Yuka Wu. 'Their diet is broad and varies throughout the year, consisting mostly of invertebrates and fruits.'
During the spring and summer, robins eat invertebrates, including worms and insects. Leaving a part of your yard covered in leaf litter from the fall will improve soil health and encourage this natural food source to survive the winter and be plentiful in the spring.
'Creating and maintaining a yard that supports insects is a good way to attract robins,' says Yuka Wu. 'Planting native shrubs and trees that bear fruits and berries, which make up their diet during fall and winter, will do the same. Those they like include hawthorns, winterberry, and junipers, which all provide berries during the winter.'
This berry poppins winterberry from Nature Hills is a dwarf shrub that will suit wet soils. Reaching 3-4', it would make a pretty hedging plant for small gardens across zones 3-9–and sustain robins and other birds at the same time.
Chokeberry and Honeysuckle also produce berries that robins love–and can sometimes get a little tipsy on. This Major Wheeler Lonicera from Burpee is a native vine that will also add vibrant color to your yard.
Yuka Wu is a project assistant for Project FeederWatch, a participatory science project run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that monitors winter bird populations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She joined Team FeederWatch in October after graduating from UCLA where she studied Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, and became immersed in the world of birds.
2. Provide Shelter with Native Trees and Hedges
In addition to providing nutrition to robins, the North American native trees and shrubs already mentioned offer shelter, as well as the materials the birds forage for their nesting sites in the breeding season. Growing these and other native shrubs and hedging plants will encourage robins to stay in your yard and nest.
'Dogwoods and hawthorns have dense branching and are especially good for nest sites,' says Yuka Wu. 'Robins build open-cup nests in sheltered, elevated spots such as in trees or under eaves using twigs, dead grass, and soft mud.'
Of course, if dogwood, hawthorns, winterberry, and other plants mentioned are not native to your region, check out those that are. Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) and Inkberry (Ilex glabra) are also good options, native along the Atlantic coastline.
'Both will do very well along the coastline, and when planted in groups, the shrubs will form coverage for birds to hide in,' says Jen McGuinness, author of Bird-Friendly Gardening. 'They can be interplanted to form a hedgerow or planted individually.
'Both Bayberry and Inkberry are dioecious species, meaning that one plant is female and one is male. In order to get fruit on the female plants to feed the birds into the winter, you will need a male plant nearby for pollination.
'Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) provides multiple benefits for birds. The berries that remain on the shrub throughout the winter are also consumed by songbirds such as American Robins.'
This northern bayberry from Nature Hills tolerates urban pollution and coastal salt, growing up to 5-7' high and wide in zones 3-7. It's a fragrant plant that will attract robins, other birds, and butterflies.
Based in Connecticut, Jen McGuinness is a garden writer, photographer and author of Bird-Friendly Gardening from Cool Springs Press. She is also founder of the blog, FrauZinnia and champions organic and wildlife-friendly gardening. She holds a Home Horticulture Certificate from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension and is a product tester for plant nurseries.
3. Avoid Using Pesticides
If your yard is already rich in the native plants, shrubs, and trees that produce the fruits and berries – and entice the bugs – that American Robins eat, they may already be visiting at certain times of the year.
However, if you would like to increase their number and encourage robins to stay for longer, being relaxed about the beneficial insects and invertebrates that robins feed on will support these feathered foragers – and improve the health of your garden. The habit of spraying lawns is particularly perilous to robins, as they love to peck around for earthworms.
'Pesticides should be avoided when possible,' says Yuka. 'They will kill worms and other invertebrates that robins depend on to survive. Additionally, these chemicals can poison birds directly and cause further cascading negative effects throughout the ecosystem.'
Growing native plants like this Densa inkberry holly from Nature Hills creates a healthier ecosystem that is less reliant on pesticides or herbicides and can support birdlife. It's non-invasive, low maintenance, and looks good too.
4. Hang a Bird Feeder
When the robins' natural food sources are scarce, or in places like towns, suburbs, and cities, where they are less abundant, a bird feeder will bring these early risers to your yard. Choose a model that is most appropriate for the way robins feed.
'Platform or ground feeders are best for robins,' says Yuka. 'Fill them with fruits, mealworms, hulled sunflower seeds, and suet.'
This charming platform birdfeeder from Ace Hardware is just the ticket for robins. The roof will help to keep food dry, and it's easy to clean too.
Ensuring feeders are clean is something that is easily overlooked. Yet, it's vital to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease. It's a good habit to clean feeders before you fill them again.
'Keeping feeders clean and food fresh can set you up for success,' says Jen. 'Look for one that is easy to disassemble for cleaning. To clean seed and suet feeders, first remove any debris that is stuck on. A bristled brush comes in handy for this.
'As for food, seed needs to be replaced if it has spoiled due to the weather. The ground underneath feeders also needs to be kept clean–mainly by discarding left over seed shells, spoiled seed and wet or moldy seed, to discourage unsanitary conditions that can make birds sick.'
This birdfood from Ace Hardware contains 100% mealworms, which are an excellent source of protein for robins and their young, as well as for other songbirds.
5. Install a Bird Bath
Seeing birds splashing about in a bird bath or swooping to sip water from one is a delight, and robins are no exception to this ritual. 'Robins are frequent visitors to birdbaths,' says Yuka. 'You can also attract them by leaving out a clean shallow dish of water for them to drink from and bathe in.'
These Athens bird baths from Ace Hardware have a classical style and neutral color that would suit most gardens. The removable tops make for easy cleaning.
'Providing clean sources of water for birds to drink and bathe in will help prevent disease,' says Jen. 'It’s important to keep birdbaths clean and replace the water at least every other day—once a day if it is being actively used.
Regularly changing the water also prevents mosquitoes from hatching eggs in the stagnant water. 'A bristle-brush can be used to scrub and clean the inside basin, as well as any rocks that are placed inside.
'Another option to clean the birdbath is with a water and vinegar solution (9 parts water to 1 part vinegar) and then rinse well.'
This cleaning vinegar from Lowe's could be diluted and used with a scrubbing brush to keep a bird bath free from algae. No rinsing is required when using it for household tasks, but rinse a bird bath thoroughly, so no scent or residue remains.
6. Put Up a Nest Shelf
Robins build their own nests, so they won't use a bird house, but if your yard is short on trees and shelter, they may use a nest shelf during nesting time, from April until around the middle of August.
These structures consist of two small shelves attached to a back board, so there is a lower ledge for the birds to make their nest and a higher ledge that offers shelter.
'Certain species of birds will not use nest boxes but will nest on a platform when available,' explains Jen. 'This includes American Robins. Robins will also scout out areas under building eaves, including porch lights (if they look sturdy enough). Nesting shelves can be installed in areas outside the home or on other outbuildings.'
'Nest shelves for robins should ideally be placed 5-25 feet from the ground in a sheltered area such as under the eaves of a building,' says Yuka. 'Nest Watch offer nest structure plans for American Robins with dimensions and instructions, so people can construct them, if they wish to.'
It doesn't take much effort to attract more robins to your yard. As you can see, some simple wildlife garden ideas, pesticide elimination, and basic bird care will bring these attractive avians (and others) to your garden.
'Many bird admirers get started by adding bird feeders to their outdoor spaces, which is a great first step,' says Jen. 'But this is only one of the many ways you can make a difference for birds.
'Plants can offer so much more than a pleasant view in the garden. Lots of native plants have co-evolved with the surrounding area to support insects and birds. The best part is that many are easy to include in your garden.'
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