12 Birds that Look Like Robins (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of birds that look like robins include American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole, Blackburnian Warbler, and Black-Headed Grosbeak.

The American robin is a familiar bird to many people in North America. Its reddish and yellow breast and distinctive song make it one of the most easily recognized birds around. However, there are several other species of birds that can be mistaken for robins. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of these birds and discuss how to tell them apart.

Examples of Birds that Look Like Robins

1. American Redstart

One of the most common birds that is often confused with a robin is the American redstart. These two birds are similar in size and shape, and they both have reddish plumage. However, there are several key differences between these two species. One way to tell them apart is by looking at their tails.

Robins have dark tail feathers with white tips, while redstarts have entirely black tails. Another difference is that redstarts have yellow patches on their wings, while robins do not.

2. Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore oriole is a common bird in the eastern United States. It is slightly larger than a robin and has a orange-and-black plumage. The easiest way to tell a Baltimore oriole apart from a robin is by its coloration; robins are mostly grayish-brown, while Baltimore orioles are brightly colored. The Baltimore oriole is also the state bird of Maryland.

The Baltimore oriole spend their winters in Central and South America, and migrate north to the eastern United States in the spring. They build their nests in trees, and often make them in small groups. The female Baltimore oriole lays 3-6 eggs, which are incubated for about two weeks. The young birds fledge (grow their feathers and leave the nest) after about three weeks.

3. Blackburnian Warbler

The Blackburnian warbler is a small songbird that is native to North America. It is named for its striking orange and black plumage, which resembles that of a robin. However, the Blackburnian warbler is much smaller than a robin, with a wingspan of only about 9 inches. Additionally, its song is very different from a robin’s, consisting of a series of high-pitched notes.

The Blackburnian warbler is found in forests throughout the eastern United States and Canada. It is a relatively uncommon bird, and its population is believed to be declining. The main threats to the Blackburnian warbler are habitat loss and deforestation.

The Blackburnian warbler is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act makes it illegal to kill, capture, or sell any migratory bird, including the Blackburnian warbler.

4. Black-Headed Grosbeak

The black-headed grosbeak is a medium-sized bird with a black head, neck, and chest. It has a yellowish breast and belly with brown streaks on its back. Its wings are dark with two white bars. Black-headed grosbeaks are found in woods and forest edges in the western United States and Canada.

They eat insects, spiders, and seeds. In the winter, they often eat berries. Black-headed grosbeaks build nests in trees. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs which are incubated for 12 to 14 days. Both parents feed the young birds. Black-headed grosbeaks are songbirds. The male’s song is a series of clear notes that rise and fall in pitch.

5. Bullocks Oriole

The Bullocks Oriole is a medium-sized songbird that is found in open woodlands and scrublands of the western United States. It has a black body with white wing bars and a yellow breast. The Bullocks Oriole is slightly larger than a robin and has a longer bill.

The Bullocks Oriole is a active bird that is constantly in motion. It is an acrobatic flier and frequently hangs upside down from branches. The diet of the Bullocks Oriole consists of insects and fruit. It will also eat nectar from flowers. The Bullocks Oriole builds a hanging nest of grass, bark, and leaves. The nest is often built in a tree or shrub. The female lays 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 13 days. Both parents help to feed the young birds.

6. Common Redstart

The Common Redstart is a small songbird that is found in Europe and Asia. It has a reddish-orange breast and belly, and its wings are black with white bars. The Common Redstart is slightly smaller than a robin, and its song is a series of high-pitched trills.

The Common Redstart is a insectivore, and its diet consists mostly of flies, beetles, and caterpillars. It hunts by perching on a branch and waiting for prey to come within range, then it swoops down and grabs the insect in midair. The Common Redstart is an important bird for farmers, as it helps to control crop-damaging insects.

The Common Redstart is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction, but its population has declined in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The Common Redstart is protected by law in some countries, and conservation efforts are underway to help this beautiful bird thrive.

7. Eastern Towhee

The eastern towhee is a large bird that is found in the eastern United States and Canada. It has a black body with a white belly and throat. Its breast is also streaked with white. The eastern towhee can be distinguished from the robin by its larger size and its different song.

The eastern towhee is found in woods and forests. It often builds its nest in trees or shrubs. The eastern towhee eats insects and berries.

8. Orchard Oriole

The orchard oriole is a small, slim songbird with a long, pointed bill. Males have black heads and upperparts with orange-yellow underparts. Females are paler overall with yellowish instead of orange underparts. Orchard orioles are found in open woodlands and orchards, often near streams or other sources of water.

Orchard orioles are active during the day, when they can be seen flitting through the trees in search of insects. Their diet also includes fruits and berries. In winter, these birds migrate to Central America and the Caribbean.

Orchard orioles are not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, their numbers have declined in recent years, likely due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species and its habitat.

9. Red-Breasted Nuthatch

The red-breasted nuthatch is a small bird that is found in North America. It has a blue-grey back and a white belly with a reddish breast. The nape of the neck and head are black. This bird is often mistaken for a robin because of its similar coloration.

However, the red-breasted nuthatch is smaller than a robin and has a shorter tail. Additionally, the red-breasted nuthatch does not have the reddish breast of a robin. Instead, its breast is white with a small patch of red at the center.

10. Red-Winged Blackbird

This bird is found in North and South America and is common in many parts of the United States. It is black with distinctive red and yellow stripes on its wings. When in flight, you may be able to see these stripes as the bird flaps its wings.

The red-winged blackbird is slightly smaller than the robin, with a shorter tail. Its bill is also shorter and less curved.

11. Spotted Towhee

One of the most common birds mistaken for a robin is the spotted towhee. This bird is slightly larger than a robin and has a black back with white spots. The towhee also has a white breast, but it is not as bright as the robin’s. The best way to tell these two birds apart is by their eyes. Robins have dark brown eyes, while towhees have red eyes.

12. Varied Thrush

The varied thrush is a fairly large bird, about the same size as a robin. It has a dark brown back and wings, with a rusty orange breast and belly. The head is gray, with an orange band across the eye. The bill is black and curved.

The easiest way to tell a varied thrush from a robin is by its size. Varied thrushes are about 50% larger than robins. They also have a different song, which is described as being melodious and flute-like.

Conclusion

Birds that look like robins can be easily distinguished by their size, song, and plumage. While there are several different species of birds that share some similarities with robins, the easiest way to tell them apart is by their coloration. For example, while a robin has mostly grayish-brown feathers, a Baltimore oriole is bright orange.

Other birds that look like robins include the American redstart, the cedar waxwing, and the rose-breasted grosbeak. While these birds may have some similarities to robins, they are all easily distinguished by their unique plumage.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.