The American Robin

The Robins are here where they migrate from Canada to Florida and back again during the winter months. They were all over our yard this weekend so that it was a like a bird sanctuary when you looked outside. Since they aren't natives, we looked them up and found they are American Robins, the largest of the North American thrushes, which is a migratory songbird. Its familiar song, "cheer-up", "cheer cheer cheer-up", begins well before daybreak and in many regions signals the start of spring. It is notorious for its ability to find, catch and eat earthworms. Diet also consists of beetles, grasshoppers, other insects, and many fruits including grapes, cherries, pokeberries, and mistletoe, and in southern states, the fruits of the Sabal Palm, which we guess is the reason they aren't touching the bird seed we put out yesterday! Above is a picture of the bird so if you see them in your yard as well, you'll know what it is and what they are doing in Florida...and why you have to wash your car every day to remove their droppings:)

Since we are enjoying our new backyard and all the nature we get to now see daily, we planted a Begonia that will have tangerine-colored blooms in the Spring, and will attract hummingbirds or so we're told. The Freesia we also planted won't attract birds as far as we know, but will give off a wonderful scent if the bulbs grow as they are supposed to...and if the frost holds off for the rest of the winter.