Robin in Toronto - January 31

[rocklakemama]

I just saw a Robin in the middle of winter for the first time.
I saw only one - on a residential street near Danforth and Greenwood (well … in a tree on a street).
Can they survive here over winter?? I thought they required access to worms.

[BetCrooks]

Many robins over-winter in the GTA. They feed mostly off fruit during the winter.

We have a male who spends most of his day in our ornamental (small fruit) crab apple tree. He defends it rigourously off the other robins who sometimes flock through the neighbourhood. Strangely, he doesn't seem to care much if the house finches, waxwings or other birds stop by to eat a few crabapples. (One time I actually went and shooed a large flock of robins out of the tree for him, as he'd been trying for over 15 minutes to chase them off and was getting noticeably tired. He doesn't mind me or my family coming quite close.)

I believe they also eat sea buckthorn, buckthorn, rose hips etc.

[rocklakemama]

Phew! That's great to hear!  
Thank you so much for such an informative (and reassuring) reply  

[KP]

I have observed many American Robins along the lower part of the Etobicoke Creek this winter.  There are American Robins that will spend the winter in Toronto as long as there is food.  There is an abundance of Staghorn Sumac fruit.  I have a really good guess that is what the American Robins are feeding on.

[rocklakemama]

Thanks KP! (and Happy Valentine's Day   )

[KP]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU TOO!