COVER STORY: SOFTBILLS
HE American robin () has been described as one of the most abundant widespread and successful bird species in the North America. There, it is referred to simply as “the robin”. It occurs over the entire continent, in all types of terrain, including urban and city areas. At 10in (25cm) long, it is the same size as our mistle thrush. The sexes are similar, although the male’s head is darker and the female is somewhat duller on the breast and back. Like the blackbird, it pumps its tail up and down, has a rattling alarm call, and will make short runs, stopping to tilt its head to one side to listen for invertebrates. As
