Robins have long been a favourite bird among Brits. This applies to dedicated bird lovers, but also to those who otherwise know little about our feathered friends.
Why are we so keen on these red-breasted birds? Well, there are some very good reasons for raving about robins.
They are distinctly British
The robin that we know and love is very much a product of the British Isles. It is a distinct subspecies with its own character and traits. The version common to other parts of Europe is introverted and rarely seen outside of woodlands. By contrast, the British robin is an extroverted bird happy to mingle with us humans.
They light up winter
UK winters can be dark and dull, which makes the famous red breast of the robin a welcome splash of colour. It makes them easy to spot on even the drabbest of wintry days, but their ability to cheer does not just lie in their colour.
Robins are one of only a small number of birds that continues to sing during winter. That makes watching them from your rattan garden furniture a pleasing experience.
They conjure up thoughts of Christmas
Robins are the bird that is most associated with the festive season. This began during the 19th century, and is linked to the red uniforms worn by postal workers back then. It meant those delivering Christmas parcels earned the nickname ‘robins’. In turn, this saw the real thing start to be used as a motif on Christmas cards.
Make sure you’re stocking up on bird feed so that no matter the season, your little garden visitors are kept well-fed throughout the year.
