Do Robins Migrate? (European Robin Migration Guide)

Voted the UK’s ‘National Bird’ in 2015, the European robin has been described as having “engaged itself in the national psyche”.

As well as being beloved in the UK, the European robin is found in almost all of Europe, as far north as Scandinavia, east as far as Russia, and south as far as the Mediterranean. Robins are classically pictured in the snow on Christmas cards, but do they migrate?

The European robin is a partially migratory species. They are able to stay in cold habitats during the winter, but some choose to migrate. As a rule of thumb, the farther north you go, the more likely the robins are to migrate.

For example, with the exception of a few populations on the southern coastline, most of Scandinavia’s inhabitants migrate. On the other hand, most robins in the UK are resident and do not migrate at all. Likewise, in much of southern Europe, robins rarely migrate.

In the UK, the few robins that do migrate usually go to France, Spain and the Mediterranean, but there are also many wintering robins from all over Europe in North Africa. Visitors from Scandinavia and Russia have also boosted winter robin numbers in the UK.

Female robins were more likely to migrate than male robins, possibly because male robins maintain their territorial instincts and prefer to stay put during winter. The European robin is a hardy bird whose migration may be driven by food availability.

Robins are partly migratory, most of the UK population live year-round

Do robins stay in the UK year-round?

The UK’s large robin population is largely sedentary, meaning the birds stay in the UK year-round. A small number of robins traveled to France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Germany.

However, robins are territorial and hardy birds – many choose to stay within their territories throughout the winter.

Female robins migrate more easily than males because their territorial instincts are weaker. In some studies, more than 70% of male robins were observed to be sedentary and non-migratory, while the ratio of female robins was about 50:50. Migrating robins are unlikely to fly long distances, but some individuals end up in Spain and the Mediterranean.

Overall, the vast majority of robins stay in the UK year-round. Robins who choose to migrate make up a slim majority (less than 5 percent of the population, by some estimates).

Do robins return to the same place every year?

Male robins are very territorial and once they have established a territory, they tend to spend most of their time in or nearby.

Most robin populations in the UK rarely travel more than 5km from their breeding grounds.

When robins migrate, many robins return to the same area each year. This doesn’t necessarily mean they return to the same nest, but anecdotal reports often mention that the same robins return to the same garden year after year.

Closeup of a robin on a wooden bird feeder

How do robins migrate?

There’s little information on how robins migrate, but it’s safe to say they most likely traveled alone. Robins are not gregarious or gregarious birds — they rarely congregate to roost or migrate.

Females are more likely than males to migrate and leave in late summer and early fall, around October and November. Most migration journeys are short – only around 100 kilometers. Some journeys were considerable, taking robins across the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel.

What month do robins migrate?

European robins migrate in autumn, around October and November.

Robins spend their midsummer molt period (July-August) and are rarely seen during this time. After moulting, some robins prepare to migrate. Women are more likely to migrate and leave the UK for France and Spain in October and November.

Robin is about to take off, from the cliff

When Do Robins Migrate?

European robins return from migration as early as January, when males look for territories and nesting grounds.

In late January, male robins court females and may then begin nesting. After establishing territories in January and February, some pairs of robins begin mating as early as March, but peak breeding occurs in April-May.

Why do European robins migrate?

Robins frequently migrate from northern Europe, especially Russia and Scandinavia.

Migration is often driven by food availability — robins eat mostly invertebrates, which become more inaccessible when the ground freezes over. European robins don’t usually migrate very far, but some individuals end up in the Mediterranean, Spain, Portugal and even North Africa.

Overall, these are hardy birds that are not afraid of the cold. As a result, robin migrations are only sporadic.

Closeup of a robin with a worm in its beak, for a chick

How far do European robins migrate?

European robins migrate across much of Europe, extending south to Iberia, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Many who left western Russia and Scandinavia ended up in England, Belgium, France and Germany. In the east, robins from Eastern Europe migrate south to the Mediterranean and North Africa. In winter, large populations of European robins may come from all over Europe and end up in North Africa.

Where do European robins migrate?

European robins migrate across most of Europe and eventually throughout southern Europe; southern France, Spain, Italy and most of the Mediterranean.

Some robins migrate as far as Africa. Immigration from Russia and Scandinavia has greatly increased the UK’s robin population, and some will leave the UK for France and Belgium.

Robin perched on a branch

Do European robins fly non-stop?

European robins crossing the North Sea and the English Channel have no choice but to keep flying.

Do robins migrate in flocks?

European robins are not sociable birds and rarely form flocks. Therefore, they may migrate separately in almost all cases.

In fact, robins are often observed chasing each other and even attacking each other or even other birds! Therefore, European robins may not migrate in flocks.

European robin foraging in its natural habitat

Are all European robins migratory?

European robins only partially migrate. Some populations as far north as Scandinavia do not migrate at all, while others in Central and Eastern Europe travel to the Mediterranean and North Africa.

British robins rarely migrate – one study found that only 5% of robins migrate to another country, while around 30% disperse in their immediate environment.

Where do European robins go in winter?

In winter, some European robin populations migrate south to France, Spain, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

However, many robins do not migrate at all, but instead become more reclusive in their native range. In winter, robins often go to the back garden bird feeder in search of food, or may retreat to the depths of the forest where food and shelter are plentiful.

Robin bathing in birdbath

Where do European robins go in summer?

If they migrate, European robins return to their territories in late winter – around January and February. After the breeding season peaks around May, robins become more reclusive throughout the summer.

In late summer (August and July), robins shed their spring plumage and become quiet and reclusive.

Do European robins migrate at night?

Robins may migrate both during the day and at night. European robins have excellent night vision, which is how they forage at night. So if you’ve ever heard a bird singing at 10:00 or 11:00 pm, all night and into the morning, it’s most likely a robin!

Where do robins go in August?

European robins undergo a full moult in late summer, around July and August. During this molt period, nearly all of the adult robin’s feathers are shed and regrow. As a result, robins are quiet and reclusive during this time and are rarely seen – they are resting after raising their chicks!

In autumn, after the robin has changed into a down jacket, its feathers are fresh and shiny.

European robin begins to molt