What do you feed robins?

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I’m so worried about the robins in this cold weather. What can I feed them in this freezing ice storm? - Utica, Michigan

The America Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a very hardy bird capable of surviving temperatures well below zero. If you look at the range map you’ll see that there are winter populations of Robins in most states year round.

In the spring, robins usually leave their large nomadic winter groups and stake out a nesting territory. Their diet changes from mostly fruit, nuts and berries to worms and insects. During cold snaps I’ve seen them devouring our crab apples, Mountain Ash tree berries, and sometimes they venture under my feeders looking for nuts. They also appreciate open water.

You can feed robins chopped apples, suet, mealworms, or nuts on a tray feeder. I actually put a Wild Birds Unlimited Supreme Fare seed block that is full of pecans out yesterday morning for my robins and you should have heard all the happy chatter!