Male and Female Robins: How to tell the difference?

Unfortunately, the short answer to this question is that there is no easy way to tell male and female robins apart. Even seasoned ornithologists and narutos with years of experience admit that it’s nearly impossible to tell apart male and female robins based on appearance alone. The only sure way to tell them apart is through DNA testing.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely impossible to identify if it’s male or female, as certain behavioral traits can help give an indication, but aren’t always 100% reliable.

Many people often see two robins together in their garden, which is why this question is so popular. If you have, then it’s most likely a male and female. This is because male robins are very territorial, and female robins only enter male territory during the breeding season.

visual difference

On average, male robins are usually larger in size, but this is not always the case. Egg-carrying female robins are usually larger than males.

The crest of the head can be a small but distinguishable feature; females tend to be more “V” shaped, while males tend to be more “U” shaped. This only becomes apparent when viewed from above, so it usually cannot be used to distinguish male and female robins.

behavioral difference

During the breeding season, usually between March and August, the male feeds the female as part of the mating ritual. If you are lucky enough to witness this process, you will be able to tell the birds apart as the male feeds the female.

The female robin is the nest builder as well as the brooder. The males will sit nearby to protect the eggs and, of course, their territories.

Robins are very territorial, meaning that females only enter territories during the breeding season, while males typically maintain territories year-round. If you come across a loud and aggressive robin outside of breeding season, it’s more likely to be a male than a female.

breast color difference

Many people think that you can tell a male robin from a female by the shade of the breast color. Male robins are thought to have brighter red breasts than females. Recent spectroscopic studies have partly confirmed this, however, because there is considerable overlap between the sexes, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference just by comparing two robins.

common misunderstanding

Many people think that female robins don’t have red breasts, but they actually do. Juvenile robins are those that lack the red bib. Many people also believe that females are the only sex with white stripes on their wings, but this is not the case, as males also have these.

Which am I most likely to see?

Statistically, you are more likely to see males than females in your garden. The same is true during breeding season, as garden populations tend to be more male-dominated.