Differences between Chickadee and Robin

Chickadee and Robin are two classes of birds that belong to the Paridae and Turdidae families respectively.

Chickadee is a group of North American songbirds that symbolizes energy and courage. The name is analogous to the bird’s call notes that is usually used to send out alarms. It is interesting that the number of times ‘dee’ is called out is based on the type of predator. Chickadees are capable of producing 13 types of complex vocalizations. Chickadees are small birds with a round head and long tail. Their crown, forehead, and neck are deep black in color. The cheeks and belly are pure white, while the back is grey. The wings and tail are streaks of white and black. The eyes of Chickadees are brown. Their bill is short, slightly curved, and black. Chickadee is an inquisitive bird and quick in spotting preys and feeders. It is especially known for its exemplary memory. The bird conceals about 80,000 seeds in different places during the summer and reclaims them efficiently in the winter. Chickadees are also capable of identifying and remembering every aspect of their environment.

Robins are the largest of Thrush species. They are small song birds characterized by their running and stopping habit. The birds have yellow cone-shaped bills that they use for foraging food in the grass. Their legs are grey, thin, and long. The feet are adapted for perching. The birds also have a long tail. Robins have a round body. Their plumage depends on the species. The European Robin is known as the original Robin. It has a grey head, back, and belly. Its wings and tail are brownish grey, while its neck and breast are covered with a bright orange patch. The American Robin belongs to the Thrush family but is not related to the European Robin. It has a black head, greyish black back, and orangish yellow belly and neck. There are about 65 species of Robins across the world.

Where are Chickadee and Robin found?

Chickadees generally live in dense forests and coniferous regions. However, they can also be found in open grasslands and open woods near waterbeds. They have also adapted themselves to live in parks and gardens in cities. They are regular visitors at backyards. Chickadees are native to North America. They exist there in huge population. There are seven Chickadee species in the continent. Some of them are Mountain Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, and Black-capped Chickadee. Similar birds exist in Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, only the North American group of birds are known as Chickadees. The other identical birds are mostly known as tits.

Robins live in deciduous forests, woodlands, grasslands, parks, farms, agricultural lands, and even cities. The American Robins are found in Canada, North America, and parts of Alaska. The European Robins exist in Europe, north Africa, and western Asia.

What do Chickadee and Robin eat?

Chickadees are omnivores. They mostly eat insects, snails, spiders, worms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and ants besides berries, seeds, and fruits. Occasionally the birds also eat small invertebrates and carrion.

Robins chiefly eat worms and insects. During summer and fall they also eat fruits, berries, seeds, peanuts, and raisins.

Here are a few pointers about the eating patterns between Chickadee and Robin

• Neither Chickadee nor Robin eat Fish.
• Neither Chickadee nor Robin eat Frogs.
• Both Chickadee and Robin eat Lizards.
• Both Chickadee and Robin eat Snakes.
• Neither Chickadee nor Robin eat Turtles.
• Neither Chickadee nor Robin eat Squirrels.
• Chickadee and Robin do not eat Gophers.
• Both Chickadee and Robin do not eat Baby Ducks.
• Mice are not eaten by both Chickadee and Robin.

Size of Chickadee and Robin?

When it comes to size, Chickadees are small birds. They are 2.4-5.5 inches long and have a wingspan of six to eight inches.. The European Robin is 3.3-4.7 inches long with a wingspan of 8-8.5 inches. The American Robin is bigger. It measures 9-11 inches in length and has a wingspan of 12-16 inches.

The weight of Chickadees depends on the species. The average weight is 0.29-0.39 ounces. while The European Robin weighs 0.56-0.77 ounces. The average weight of the American Robin is 2.7 ounces.

Where do Chickadee and Robin nest?

Chickadees generally build their nests in wooded areas, four to 15 feet above the ground. They prefer tree holes and cavities. They also use boxes and birdhouses. Sometimes, the male and female partners dig cavities in the trees. The female bird chooses the nesting site and constructs the nest. The nest of Chickadees is shaped like a cup and made of twigs, leaves, and other material on the outer. It is lined with soft material like moss, rabbit fur, and feathers on the inside. Chickadee eggs are pinkish white with dark speckles. The female incubates them for 12-13 days during which time she is fed by her partner. After the eggs hatch, both partners share the duties of feeding and protecting the young ones. The chicks fledge when they are about 16 days old.

Robins build their nests in the crevices of trees, walls, rocks, and buildings. Sometimes, they are also placed in hidden branches of trees and shrubs. The nests are shaped like bowls and typically four to six inches wide. The female Robin chooses the nesting site and also constructs the nest by pressing dried grass, twigs, feathers, paper, and moss with her wings. She lays eggs that are blue, sometimes with brown spots. The female performs the entire incubation duties for about 13 days. The chicks will be fed by both the parents, who also provide them warmth and protection. They fledge when they are about two weeks old but remain dependent on the parents for another two weeks.

How long do Chickadee and Robin live?

The average lifespan of Chickadees in the wild is three to seven years. Most nestlings face threat of being eaten by hawks, owls, and other mammals that climb trees. The longest known lived Chickadee was 11 years and five months old.

The average lifespan of Robins is two years. Among the known birds, the oldest European Robin was 11 years and five months old, and the oldest American Robin was 14 years old.

Are Chickadee or Robin migratory birds?

Chickadees are typically non-migratory. They reside in their territories throughout the year. While adult birds always stay put by huddling together in small flocks during winters, the young ones may travel long distances when population at their territories increases after breeding. However, this cannot be termed as migration. Winters are managed without migration as Chickadees have special adaptations. They have dense plumes that help them maintain body temperature during the day. At nights, they roost in flocks. The birds also stay active to keep themselves warm. Further, Chickadees store seeds and grains in summers so they don’t run out of food during winters.

The migration of Robins depends on their location. European Robins living in Ireland and the UK rarely migrate or travel just about five miles in winters. The birds from Scandinavia and Russia relocate to the UK and western Europe. Robins from southern Europe also migrate during winters. American Robins are mostly residents. Some of them from North America and Canada may travel to the USA and Mexico in winters. Robin species in Asia are usually non-migratory.

Do Chickadee and Robin fly in flocks?

A flock of Chickadees is called banditry. These birds are extremely gregarious. They are friendly with birds of their own species as well as other birds. They use special calls to interact with their flocks. The birds also follow a complex social hierarchy. Chickadees mostly live in pairs during the breeding season. In other times, they live in small flocks of four to 12 birds. In winters they roost in flocks to maintain body temperature.

A group of Robins is known as a round. Robins are friendly and courageous birds that do not get intimidated by humans. They are generally gregarious amongst themselves, except in the breeding season when they prefer to be territorial. They forage and fly in flocks to safeguard themselves from predators.

Are Chickadee or Robin protected?

Chickadees are protected under the law in North America. According to the law, it is illegal to hunt, harm, trap or transport the birds or their nests.

Robins are protected in the USA, Canada, UK, and many parts of Europe and Asia. In these countries, harming or hunting of the birds is a punishable offence.

Are Chickadee or Robin endangered?

Chickadees are neither threatened nor endangered. They exist in booming numbers. However, their population is expected to get scattered and their habitats are likely to get distributed owing to global warming and climate change.

European Robins as well as American Robins are listed as species of least concern. Robins are largely not threatened. However, a few Robins are marked as endangered. They include Black Robin, Seychelles Robin, and Norfolk Island Robin. Robins are short-lived birds. They also face threats from predators, infant mortality, and migration in winters.

Can Chickadee and Robin fly?

In flight, the wings and tail of Chickadees are spread out. The birds move up and down while flying and usually do not fly in a straight line. They flap their wings vigorously in short intervals. The maximum flying speed of Chickadees is 12 miles per hour. Chickadees either fly alone or in flocks that may also include other species of birds. They are capable of performing acrobatics while hanging on to trees or bird feeders.

Robins are active birds that fly for several hours every day. They fly low while moving around casually in the neighbourhood. For long distance travel and migration, the birds fly higher. Their flight is typically direct and quick. The average flying speed of Robins is 30-36 miles an hour during migration. The birds fly in loose flocks on a daily basis. For migration, they form larger groups, sometimes consisting of tens of thousands of birds.

Can Chickadee and Robin swim?

Chickadees are small birds with feet adapted for perching. Therefore, they cannot swim. But the birds visit shallow waters for drinking and bathing. They are also capable of bathing in cold icy waters during winters.

Robins are not water birds. They cannot swim but can manage to stay afloat as they have hollow bones. The birds enjoy bathing in water, so they often enter ponds, puddles, and shallow waters.

Mating patterns among Chickadee and Robin

Chickadees attain sexual maturity when they are six to eight months old. Soon after winter, the flocks start disintegrating and the birds will become more territorial. There is no particular mating ritual that Chickadees follow. The male Chickadees become aggressive to defend their territories. Some of them also feed their partners. The male and female engage in singing and fluttering of wings during courtship. The female recites ‘dee’ multiple times to keep her partner undistracted. At the same time, she is observant of the singing competitions between her partner and other males. Chickadees generally raise only one brood each year. The clutch could have one to 13 eggs depending on the species. The female lays one egg per day. Older females lay the maximum number of eggs. The female bird incubates the eggs and also protects them from predators. She is supported by her partner after hatching to tend to the young ones.

Robins attain sexual maturity when they are about a year old. Most of them start breeding in the spring or summer that follows their hatching. At the start of spring, the male sings loudly to attract the attention of the female. During courtship, both partners perch and sing. Once the pair is formed, the male and female Robins become aggressive to protect their nesting territory and keep a check that they do not lose their partner to another bird. The male fetches food for his partner to make sure that she gains enough weight to lay eggs and incubate them. Robins generally raise two broods a year. Each clutch usually contains about five to six eggs. The female does the incubation duties, while her partner gets food for her and guards the nesting territory. The partners involve equally in feeding and protecting the young ones after the eggs hatch.

When is the mating season for Chickadee and Robin ?

The mating season for Chickadees occurs during April-June. The birds start pairing in the beginning of April and by the start of May they start building their nests.

The mating season for Robins occurs during March-July. The birds, however, may start their nesting activities in January.

Do Chickadee and Robin mate for life?

Chickadees are usually monogamous. Their relationships last for several years or for life. In some cases, the female may dissociate from her partner if she finds another mate from a higher status in the hierarchy.

Robins may or may not be monogamous. They usually stay with a single partner during each breeding season. Sometimes, they may also look for different partners in the same breeding season.

How do Chickadee and Robin sleep?

Chickadees sleep in tree holes, bird boxes, or ledges of buildings. They prefer to sleep alone except in winters when they huddle together with their flock. During winters, the birds eat plenty of seeds and insects to endure the long cold nights when they will not be able to venture out for foraging.

Robins mostly sleep on crevices and branches of trees. They choose spots from where they can hear the approaching of predators and from where they can quickly flee. Except for the breeding season, when they sleep at nesting sites, Robins gather in large numbers to roost at night.

Can Chickadee and Robin be eaten?

There have been instances of people eating the meat of Chickadees in the past. However, harming and hunting of these birds is illegal under modern laws.

Robin meat is edible. It was a cherished delicacy in North America. However, it is no longer eaten in the continent because of conservation rules. Some people in parts of Florida are known to still eat it though. Robin meat is popular in parts of Europe, especially France. Although there are rules against hunting of these birds, killing them for meat is tolerated in some places. The bird’s meat is also consumed in some oriental cuisines of Asia.

Can you hunt Chickadee or Robin?

Chickadees may have been hunted in the past for their meat. However, modern laws do not permit hunting, harming, or trapping of the birds.

Robins were widely hunted in the past for their meat. Modern conservation laws restrict the killing of these birds. However, despite having protected status, Robins continue to be hunted in many countries.

Can you feed Chickadee or Robin?

Chickadees have never been domesticated by humans. They are nevertheless offered food at bird feeders. People usually give them sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet blends.

People commonly offer food for Robins at feeders in their backyard. Robins enjoy mealworms. They also like berries, fruits, peanuts, and seeds.