Why do robins have a red breast?

Robins are a bird we commonly associate with winter and Christmas, but why do robins have red breasts? The red colour looks amazing next to white snow, but it also makes the bird a target for predators.

Why do robins have a red breast?

There are several reasons why robins have a red breast:

Male robins with a brighter red breast are thought to be more attractive to female robins.

Older robins have a bigger red area. This is thought to serve as a warning to younger robins to stay off their patch. Robins are a very territorial bird.

Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Emma Vanstone