European robin / Rotkehlchen (Erithacus rubecula)

Rotkehlchen - sie singen endlich wieder. 2021-10-24 09:57:40 Neeracherried

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-04-02 at the Luppmen. Most recent observation: 2026-05-24 in Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge.

Description

Classification: Genus Erithacus (Erithacus); Family Thrushes (Turdidae)
General: Red face and breast, light colored belly, brown and gray back and wings.
General: Singing in a tree, searching for food on the ground.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel, Wintergast

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 08-18
Migration in: 02-20 - 05-01
Migration out: 08-18 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=14 cm, wingspan=20-22 cm, weight=14-21 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: General: High pitched but also going low, e.g. 2.9-7.7 KHz.
Song: Only for a short period in late summer while they are moulting and inconspicuous do robins stop singing. Both sexes sing. [RSPB article]
Song: Song medium to very high pitched, with mostly clear tones with a liquid quality. Timbre reminiscent of Wren or Dunnock, but with a much more varied structure and tempo. Pitch ranges from very high to low, almost thrush-like, notes. No recognizable motifs. Often ends on a rising or falling pitch, giving it a "Chinese" accent. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: improvised melodic, fast, Frequency: high (3-9 KHz) Special sounds: fluting Singing season: 02-01 - 07-31 Only pauses singing while molting and thus endangered. Dawn chorus start: 50 minutes before dawn.
Calls: Alarm call a thin, electric "tick", often in series with decelerating tempo. [Link] 1: "ticking call", "tik", "tek", . Personal: A single note usually repeated twice. Somewhat sputtery. BirdID refers to 'a thin, electric "tick". In one source said to be used as alarm call.
Call: A variety of calls is also made at any time of year, including a ticking note indicating anxiety or mild alarm. [Link]
I heard 3 or 4 scattered birds calling it in woods with underbrush but saw no birds. BirdNet told me they were robins, which I found hard to believe, but on comparing it with recordings at XenoCanto, I was convinced! Maybe they were telling each other "Don't show yourself to that alarming guy!".

I heard 3 or 4 scattered birds calling it in woods with underbrush but saw no birds. BirdNet told me they were robins, which I found hard to believe, but on comparing it with recordings at XenoCanto, I was convinced! Maybe they were telling each other "Don't show yourself to that alarming guy!". 2021-07-03 08:05:14 Callers: American robin, European nuthatch🐦
♫ 2021-07-03 08:05:14 (call)


2: "srii". Low chirpy to sputtery monotone
Xeno-Canto recording by Stanislas Wroza noted as 'srii' call

Xeno-Canto recording by Stanislas Wroza noted as 'srii' call ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC496627 European robin srii call.mp3 (call)


3: "tsii". General: A longer falling note (9Khz-7Khz) called a tsii by the recordist.
Call: Sound Approach: If you listen carefully you may notice that in the daytime, apart from the ubiquitous tik call, Robins also give a shrill tsi rather frequently. It is this tsi that they adapt for use as a nocturnal flight call. Nfc=night flight call. [Link]
In the sonogram it's a longer, falling note.

In the sonogram it's a longer, falling note. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC512416 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - named tsii or alarm call by recordist Marcin Solowiej in Poland.mp3 (alarm call)


4: Here is an audio of a high-pitched hawk call (7.5-8.5 KHz). See also a YouTube video comparing ground threats from aerial threats.
XC139085 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - hawk alarm call from Paul Driver.

XC139085 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - hawk alarm call from Paul Driver. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC139085 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - hawk alarm call from Paul Driver.mp3 (alarm call)

5: No details but a Xeno-Canto recording. - but really OWN_VIA_ZOOM
Volles Konzert - Rotkehlchen, Trommeln eine Buntspechts, Buchfink.

Volles Konzert - Rotkehlchen, Trommeln eine Buntspechts, Buchfink. Switzerland 2025-03-09 10:34:24 Callers: European robin, Great spotted woodpecker🐦, Common chaffinch🐦
♫ 2025-03-09 10:34:24 Source: Zoom H2n Switzerland (drumming)

Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 4-9 KHz, Special sounds: sputter/pebble-clatter.