I got to thinking how many football teams have bird nicknames. The South Wales derby is contested by the Bluebirds (Cardiff City) and the Swans (Swansea City). Notts County and Newcastle United disagree over who best represents the Magpies moniker and the M23 derby rivals, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion are the Eagles and Seagulls respectively. But one bird nickname pops up more than any other species. Bristol City, Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town, amongst others, are proud to be Robins. No other bird, at the end of the day, gives 110% and is held in such high esteem in footballing and other circles.
As festive loudspeakers are cranked up ready for Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody our red-breasted hero and national bird will be a key character at the heart of seasonal merriment. Not many people, however, realise that behind that doe-eyed, cutesy Christmas card exterior lies a thoroughly combative and quarrelsome bird.
Most bird species fiercely defend territories during the breeding season, but after the young have fledged the adults loosen-up, kick-back and live harmoniously with other birds of the same species. Not so bellicose Robins, who defend their own patch all year round. They hold individual territories in the winter and, unusually, both male and female birds sing. They’re not afraid to defend their plot with great aggression, often resulting in fisticuffs, injury and worse.
On cold winter days, the Robin’s song is often the only one you will hear. It is a melancholic undulation of a wide range of notes and tempos. The Robin is one of the most adept, if slightly gloomy, songsters. The non-breeding song is even less upbeat and quieter: a real plaintive affair that fits the atmosphere snuggly on still, chilled days.
While Robin-on-Robin relationships are tetchy, UK redbreasts (their breasts are actually burnt-orange) have an almost uniquely close association with humans, not found on the continent where there are more forest than garden birds. Our resident Robin population is boosted at this time of year as migrants from the north and east arrive to escape harsher winters.
Robins can be seen anywhere in and around Rye, but gardens, churchyards and woodlands are your best bet. Arable farmland, grasslands and wetlands are less favoured habitats.
More than any other species, Robins can nest in bizarre places – car wheel arches, boots, hats, postboxes and watering cans are all commonly chosen, making them even more endearing.
Around 7 million pairs breed in the UK, their population having grown by around 50% in the last 50 years, likely owing to less severe winters in which they can suffer. But, your favourite Robin that returns to see you year after year (I’m very sorry to break this to you) is in fact most likely a series of different birds, as the average lifespan of a Robin is a little over a year.
Image Credits: James Tomlinson , Barry Yates , Alan Martin .