European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

14 – 16 cm

20 – 22 cm

minor concern

crops, parks and gardens

insects, ants, beetles and spiders

common

In some places in Britain it is associated with Christmas and it is present on many cards and stamps. The connection with the festival is probably due to the fact that the British postmen, during the Victorian period, dressed red uniforms and were named “Robin Redbreast” (“Pit-roig”).

An ancient British legend explains that chest color is a mark of the blood of Christ, when the bird sang in his ear to console his pain when he was nailed to the cross.