Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female Wandering Thrush
• Method 2 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female Australian (Scarlet) Robins
• Method 3 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female European Robins
• Warnings
• What do you need

Learning to distinguish between male and female robins is not an easy task. Differences in appearance and demeanor will help you distinguish them from each other. Once you know what to look for, you can easily tell a male from a female.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female Wandering Thrush

1. 1 Examine the plumage of the thrush. The breast of the male wandering thrush has a reddish-red color and, moreover, is more pronounced than that of the female. The female's breast is paler, and the color is closer to reddish-orange.
   • The plumage of the wings and tail are also different. The wings and tail in males are usually deeper black, while in females they are more likely to have a grayish tint.
   • Females do not have such a clear separation between the plumage of the head and back (which they have in black and gray) as in males.
2. 2 Find out if the bird is building a nest. Females are mainly involved in the construction of the nest. Only occasionally do males get involved in this business. You will know that this is a female if a wandering thrush begins to build a nest.
3. 3 Pay attention to the behavior of the birds in the nest. During the first year, the males take care of the chicks at night. At this time, females begin to incubate the second brood, but during the day they return to feed and look after the chicks.
4. 4 Pay attention to mating behavior. Males usually chase females and drive other males away from their nests. Males usually sing to attract females, although both sexes can sing.

Method 2 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female Australian (Scarlet) Robins

1. 1 Look for color differences. Male and female scarlet robins differ much more in plumage color than their European or American counterparts. Males are black with a bright red breast and a white spot above the beak (on the forehead). Females are brown with reddish-orange breasts and white undersides.
2. 2 Pay attention to the behavior of the birds in the nest. The females incubate the eggs while the males bring them food. This division of labor ensures that the eggs remain warm and safe until the chicks hatch.
3. 3 Observe the creation of nesting sites. Scarlet robin females build nests from moss, cobwebs, and animal fibers. Males sit on the viewing branch and do not allow other birds to approach them.

Method 3 of 3: Differences Between Male and Female European Robins

1. 1 Explore migration paths. The female robin returns to the adjacent nesting sites in summer. Males, on the other hand, stay in the same territory all year round.
2. 2 Pay attention to mating behavior. Male robins bring food to females - seeds, worms, or berries - to strengthen the bond. A hungry female begins to rustle noisily and flap her wings to attract the attention of the male.
3. 3 Pay attention to the behavior of the birds in the nest. After laying the eggs, the female remains in the nest for two weeks. The male at this time brings food to her and the chicks.
   • If one of two robins in a nest with chicks flies away for food, then a female will most likely remain in the nest.
4. 4 Examine the breast of the robin. Male and female robins are rather difficult to distinguish from each other by plumage alone. Nevertheless, certain small differences can be noticed in the color of the breasts of old robins.
   • In males in the second year of life, the gray plumage around the red breast continues to expand. And the breast itself is usually larger than that of females.
   • Although the plumage around the breast of female robins does not increase much with age, its red breast continues to grow.
   • Knowing the age of the robin is important for determining the sex of European robins.

Warnings

• Keep away from nests or robin eggs. They don't like it when someone encroaches on their territory.
• There are various variations in the family of robins and their subspecies. For example, while most of the tips for red robin apply to all red robins in Australia, the continent itself has 45 unique species. Before trying to determine the sex of a bird, be sure to find out what species it belongs to.

What do you need

• Binoculars