Robin: Here are some fun facts about Robins, the favourite garden bird.
To start: in Holland we have this song in which Robin ticks on the window. We think it wants to come inside, but sorry no! It’s the reflection of the glass and thinking it’s another Robin it wants to frighten and drive it away! For centuries, this tiny bird has been the symbol of good luck, happiness, rebirth - and sometimes even as a messenger for lost, loved ones. Postmen in Britain were popularly called 'Robins' because their uniforms were red and Victorian Christmas cards often showed a robin delivering Christmas mail.
The story goes that the Robin felt Christ's agony during the Crucifixion, and went to pull a thorn from His brow. One version says that some of Christ's blood fell upon the birds breast, while another version says that the bird was wounded; both versions agree that the Robin was blessed for the act of heroism. There are tales in Norse mythology where the robin is the protector from storms and lightning. And in Celtic folklore the robin is known as the Oak King of Summer. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders (you'll usually only see 2 together when they're mating:) Robins are quite tame, the Robin has always lived near humans. Both the male and the female robin have a reddish-orange breast all year round.
Male robins use their red breasts during the breeding season as a way of settling territorial disputes.
Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown.