Robin - biology.

Robin - biology. Robin, name first given to a small European bird of the thrush family (see Thrush), familiar in England from living in close proximity to humans. The name was later applied by settlers in other parts of the world to birds of somewhat similar appearance--in North America to another species of the thrush and to members of several endemic genera of songbirds of Australia and New Guinea. The European robin is technically a chat thrush, not a true thrush. The plump body is about 14 cm (about 5.5 in) long; its general color is olive-brown, with a characteristic reddish-orange breast. The species ranges from Siberia to North Africa and, depending on its location, may migrate short distances during the year. The American robin, a true thrush, is one of the largest and most numerous of American thrushes, with a body about 25 cm (about 10 in) long. The male is olive-gray; the top and sides of the head are black, the chin and throat are white with black streaks, and the breast and underparts are reddish orange. The female is of duller hues. The bird, like its European namesake, migrates and lives close to human dwellings. Its nest is built of coarse grass and reeds, plastered inside with mud and lined with grasses. The eggs, laid in a clutch of four to five, are a uniform greenish blue. Scientific classification: The European and American robins belong to the family Turdidae of the order Passeriformes. They are sometimes placed in the family Muscicapidae. The European robin is classified as Erithacus rubecula. The American robin is classified as Turdus migratorius. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.