The Robin: A Biography

by Stephen Moss

No other bird is quite so ever-present and familiar, so embedded in our culture, as the robin. With more than six million breeding pairs, the robin is second only to the wren as Britain’s most common bird. It seems to live its life alongside us, in every month and season of the year. But how much do we really know about this bird?

In The Robin Stephen Moss records a year of observing the robin both close to home and in the field to shed light on the hidden life of this apparently familiar bird. We follow its lifecycle from the time it enters the world as an egg, through its time as a nestling and juvenile, to the adult bird; via courtship, song, breeding, feeding, migration – and ultimately, death. At the same time we trace the robin's relationship with us: how did this particular bird – one of more than 300 species in its huge and diverse family - find its way so deeply and permanently into our nation’s heart and its social and cultural history?

It’s a story that tells us as much about ourselves as it does about the robin itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Natural History, Animals, Science, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2017

About the author

Librarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Stephen Moss is a naturalist, broadcaster, television producer and author. In a distinguished career at the BBC Natural History Unit his credits included Springwatch, Birds Britannia and The Nature of Britain. His books include The Robin: A Biography, A Bird in the Bush, The Bumper Book of Nature, Wild Hares and Hummingbirds and Wild Kingdom. He is also Senior Lecturer in Nature and Travel Writing at Bath Spa University. Originally from London, he lives with his family on the Somerset Levels, and is President of the Somerset Wildlife Trust. He is a regular contributor to the Guardian.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book, beautifully illustrated, following the life and breeding cycle of the robin, consistently voted Britain’s favourite bird, through the year. It’s divided into twelve chapters for the months of the year and comprehensively explores every aspect of robins from folklore to behaviour to breeding and migration patterns to their relationship with humans. Moss even explains why robins are such a common feature on Christmas cards. It’s because in Victorian times, postmen wore a red uniform and were nicknamed ‘robins’ so the bird became a symbol for postmen which is why they are sometimes portrayed holding envelopes in their beaks. This will be a lovely book to keep on my bookshelf and dip back into from time to time. A very enjoyable read.

[Moira Macfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prachtig verzorgd en vormgegeven biografie van de roodborst, mooi vertaald ook. Het boek telt tweehonderd bladzijden over dit vogeltje en ik heb me er geen moment mee verveeld. Stephen Moss volgt het roodborstje een jaar lang en vertelt daarover van maand tot maand, over het vogeltje zelf, maar ook over de plek die het beestje bij ons mensen heeft van vroeger tot nu.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
We have many birds visiting our country garden but my favourite (and indeed the nation's favourite) has to be the robin.

I already knew that behind the sweet façade lurks a sometimes savage bird, prepared to defend its territory at whatever cost.

Moss takes us month by month through the life of a robin and I discovered something new on every page. Very well written, it is a great mixture of ornithology, folklore and poetry.

A lovely looking book, high quality, creamy paper, beautiful illustrations and even a red ribbon to mark your place as you read.
Would make an excellent present although the print size is very small.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) I’ve also read Moss’s most recent bird monograph, The Starling. Both provide a thorough yet accessible introduction to a beloved species’ history, behaviour, and cultural importance. The month-by-month structure works well here: Moss’s observations in his garden and on his local patch lead into discussions of what birds are preoccupied with at certain times of year. Such a narrative approach makes the details less tedious. European robins are known for singing pretty much year-round, and because hardly any migrate – only 5%, it’s thought – they feel like constant companions. They are inquisitive garden guests, visiting feeders and hanging around to see if we monkey-pigs might dig up some juicy worms for them.

Although we like to think we see the same robins year after year, that’s very unlikely. One in four robins found dead has been killed by a domestic cat; most die of old age and/or starvation within a year. Robin pairs raise one or two broods per year and may attempt a third if the weather allows, but that high annual mortality rate (62%) means we’re not overrun. Compared to other notable species, then, they’re doing well. There are loads of poems and vintage illustrations and, what with robins’ associations with Christmas, this felt like a seasonally appropriate read. At Christmas 2022 I read the very similar Robin by Helen F. Wilson, but this was more engaging.

Originally published, with images, on my blog, Bookish Beck.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Robin Redbreast in a Cage,
Puts all Heaven in a Rage.

A very accurate poem by William Blake also quoted in this book which was a delight. I love birds, but I think even if you are not specifically interested in nature or birds this book will enlighten you and make you smile. It will make you look different at every Robin you will encounter or any bird in general. This book describes the life of a Robin month by month in a beautiful way. It is full of science and research and history, but is never boring or dense.

He moves forward, each tiny hop leaving behind a pair of prints etched into the crystalline white: three tiny toes in front and one behind.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully illustrated and gives you a month by month account of a robin's life. Lots of interesting facts and also folklore. I love robins!

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the seasonal organization of the book, somehow I didn’t enjoy the writing style. It didn’t flow well between robin behavior and their place in our culture. This made it easy to put down and not pick up again. Fortunately, it’s a short and beautifully produced book, two very redeeming qualities. Perhaps being American and having no experience with robins meant I wasn’t the target audience.

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & learnt so much about Robins.
I was shocked to learn of their very short life span, & that they are aggressive birds.
I enjoyed the folklore & it was also interesting to read about the changes in their song times in the City due to artificial lights etc.
I liked how Moss wrote the book from observations through time as well as fact.x

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant en laagdrempelig boek over roodborstjes. Met veel plezier en liefde verteld, dat is genieten. Alle technische feitjes ben ik uiteraard reeds vergeten maar de geschiedenisles zal nog wel wat langer meegaan hoop ik. Ik kijk uit naar het boek over het winterkoninkje, één van mijn persoonlijke favorieten (altijd als ik dat domme opstaande staartje zie voel ik liefde).

[Lisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully designed book about my favourite songbird ❤️

Five things I loved learning/reading about:
• Origin of the name “robin”
• Why robins are called redbreasts even though it’s more of an orange breast
• Robins’ tendency to build a nest literally anywhere
• The link between robins and Christmas
• The close bond between humans and robins

Birthday gift from Mo ❤️

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so full on joy, to birders and non-birders a huge recommendation!

[Marcel Uljee · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘For many millennia, our ancestors would marvel at the miracle of migration [...] Aristotle [...] believed that in winter the redstart, a summer visitor to Greece, changed into a robin. This mistake persisted for almost two thousand years.’ (p. 163-164)

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course it is a lovely book. My son Andrew only picks great books

[ReaderofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een verassend leuk boek over roodborstjes. Over de mythologie, gedichten en biologie van deze beestjes.
Het staat vol met leuke weetjes:
- Dat roodborstjes een van de weinige vogels zijn waarbij het mannetje en vrouwtje zingen
- Dat het roodborstje vaak op de kerstkaart staat omdat de postbode vanwege zijn rode kleding vroeger de bijnaam "robin" (roodborst) had in Engeland
- Dat ze zulke grote zwarte oogjes hebben zodat ze later en vroegen dan andere vogels in de schemer eten kunnen zoeken, maar dat ze daardoor ook helaas verward raken door neon lichten en dus s nachts al beginnen met zingen (met uitputting tot gevolg)
- Dat lang werd geloofd (te beginnen met Aristoteles) dat het roodborstje 'transmuteerde' in een andere vogelsoort (zoals de merel) om het wegtrekken van vogels te verklaren en dat het eeuwen heeft geduurd het tegendeel te bewijzen
- En dat vroeger werd geloofd dat als een roodborstje 3 keer op je raam klopt of als het naar binnen loopt, alle zieke personen in het huishouden zouden komen te overlijden

En nog heel veel andere weetjes...

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming book about the life of this little Robin bird. Even if most of the statistics are mainly UK based, it was really interesting and fun to learn about the Robin. What made this book standout for me was the inclusive of poetry, folklore and other fun facts about the Robin like why do you find Robin on Christmas cards, etc.

I don't usually comment on this but this Hardcover edition is so beautiful and it'll be a great gift to anyone you know who loves birds. Looking forward to read Stephen Moss's other works.

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leuk boek over het roodborstje. Opvallend hoe weinig men eigenlijk over zo'n vogel weet. Mooie voorbeelden over de symboliek van de roodborst. Maar misschien ook wel wat veel en verhalen niet op logische plek , het boek is in maanden ingedeeld. Het is best een aanrader, maar had wat korter gemogen van mij. Ik weet nu wel veel meer over de roodborst dan voor het lezen van het boek.

[Catherine Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute gem of a book. The attention to detail is magnificent from the red binding, ribbon and sharp font coupled with beautiful illustrations. The narrative is set over a calendar year starting in January. I am lucky enough to have a garden frequented by robins so this was a joy to read from start to finish.

[Josine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een erg lief boekje over mijn lievelingsvogel. Leest als een BBC natuurdocumentaire. Niet zo gek, kwam ik achter, want deze beste man werkt(e) bij de BBC. Daarmee is het boekje wel heeel erg Brits, dus ik weet niet hoe accuraat alle feitjes zijn voor de roodborstjes in Nederland.

[Shirley Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative about this little bird. Definitely worth reading.

[Hilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read, filled with lovely illustrations!

[Christien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very English book, and surprisingly interesting. Honestly, robins are pretty hardcore.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot fault this book. As the robin is my favourite bird (and I know I’m not alone!), I thought I knew a lot about them. This book, however, taught me so much more. I feel like I “know” the robin even better now. The book is very interesting, looks absolutely beautiful and is incredibly well told. Stephen Moss’ love for robins (as well as birds and nature in general) shines through on every page. I cannot wait to read more of his work.

[Linda Dielemans]

A lovely read (very British though) about a (sometimes not so) lovely bird. Very enjoyable, although I have to correct the author: continental robins are just as curious and fond of gardens and gardeners as the British ones!

[Steve Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The literary equivalent of a hot chocolate under a blanket. A cosy read, beautifully presented, and filled with tidbits about our beloved bird.

[looneybooks79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://looneybooks79.blog/2025/04/16/...

Stephen Moss is natuurhistoricus, auteur, televisieproducent en ornitholoog. Door zijn liefde voor vogels en als vogelaar besloot hij om een aantal biografieën te schrijven, van bepaalde vogelsoorten. Eerder las ik al De Uil: een biografie. En nu is het aan Het Roodborstje... het kleine vogeltje met de grootste (figuurlijke) bek en vooral een agressief karaktertje... want met dit kleine vogeltje valt niet te spotten!

Wie een tuin heeft of in het stad woont en een koer heeft of graag in het park rondhangt weet dat de roodborst niet al te schuw is van de mensen. Vaak is dat uit opportunisme (het is geweten dat als je tuiniert en je hebt roodborstjes in de buurt, dat deze net dat moment aangrijpen om op zoek te gaan naar pieren en wormen of insecten). Maar het roodborstje is ook heel territoriaal en dulden geen andere roodborsten in hun buurt. Dat het vooral de mannetjes zijn die luid zingen om dit territorium te verdedigen, legt Moss uitvoerig uit. In tegenstelling tot het boek rond De Uil, waarin hij alle soorten uilen die in Groot-Brittanië voorkomen opsomt, beschrijft Moss in dit boek per maand het leven van een roodborst, te beginnen bij het begin van het jaar, in volle winter... in januari.

Maand per maand volgen we in de trippelende, zingende voetspoortjes van dit kleine prachtige vogeltje dat we allemaal kennen. Hoe het een vrouwtje verleid, hoe het paart en nest, hoe het de kleine roodborstjes opvoedt en hun overlevingskansen.

Uit liefde voor de natuur en voor vogels in het algemeen vind ik dit heerlijke boeken om te lezen (ik las intussen ook al Het Winterkoninkje uit en De Zwaluw ligt ook al klaar om te lezen). Je leert dankzij deze biografieën pas echt hoe deze vogels vechten om te (over)leven en waarom ze hun opportunistisch karakter zo uitbuiten. (hang maar elke winter genoeg voedsel voor deze kleine diertjes!)

Tussendoor krijgen we ook nog wat historische folklore te weten over het roodborstje, haalt hij gedichten of liedjesteksten aan en dit alles wordt prachtig aangevuld met de mooiste tekeningen (onder andere kerstkaarten waarop de Robin / Redbreast... het roodborstje dus, vaak op voorkomt). Tegelijkertijd zijn deze boeken (ook bij Het Winterkoninkje werd dit me duidelijk) een oproep om onze tuinen niet al té clean te houden want verwilderde stukjes tuin kunnen een mooie locatie vormen voor roodborstjes en andere kleine vogels voor nestplaatsen, schuilplaatsen (laten we niet vergeten dat in onze tuinen een grote moordenaar van deze kleine diertjes rondsluipt, namelijk de huiskat!), voedingsmogelijkheden... De natuur is iets moois, als we het de kans geven natuurlijk te zijn!

[Jeremy Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this very informative and well-written book. Some of the phrasing is memorable and the death of a robin at the end, in December, is really rather touching - a child reading it would cry, I'm sure.

The month by month approach is an excellent idea as it enables you to follow the whole life cycle of the bird. Mixed in with the ornithological information is an intriguing amount of folklore, poetry, mythology and so forth.

In January, the author describes a robin singing in the snow on the 'icing-sugared lawn.' Then:

‘Think of this robin as a small, colourful ball of feathers with just one aim in life: to breed. If he succeeds, he will pass on his unique genetic heritage to the next and future generations. If he fails, then his chance is gone forever. It’s a heavy responsibility; one belied by that sweet, tuneful, delicate song.’

I discovered he teaches creative writing; it shows in his writing, which is clear and crisp when it needs to be yet atmospheric when necessary.

I borrowed the book from the library so had the benefit of reading it in hardback. The hardback is an object of beauty in its own right. From the dust jacket to the many coloured illustrations to the poem or quotation on a separate page before each chapter, it is a delight. And it even has a bound bookmark - red of course! As someone else has pointed out, the typography is excellent and the paper quality good. A book completely worthy of the nation's favourite bird.

[Geert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting facts about the Robin in this book:
- They may bring darness as well as light: it is said that if one flies through an open window someone in that household is doomed to die.
- Regarded as religious symbols. According to Christian mythology, the robin is supposed to symbolise the blood of Christ, the feathers having been stained as the bird pulled out spurs from his crown of thorns.
- Was until the mid 20th century called “redbreast”.
- Unlike most birds the two sexes are identical in appearance. The colourful breast is not for courting, but for scaring off rivals.
- It is called redbreast because when they named it, there was not yet a name for the colour orange.
- Unlike most birds, male robins sometimes fight eachother to the death.
- They can nest in the weirdest places, even a dead cat.
- Domestic cats are the biggest threat, killing 1 out of every 10 robins.
- It is thought that some birds sing in the dead of night, because artificial light makes them think it is already starting to get morning.
- Some robins do migrate, although not very far.
- Aristotle thought that some birds transmutated from one species into another once in a while. It was not until the 16th century that it was proven that they actually migrate.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Stephen Moss may have become my new favourite non-fiction writer. I first came across him in his book Wonderland, co-written with Brett Westwood, and this book The Robin: An Autobiography was given to me as a present because I enjoyed it. Arranged in twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, it shines a light on the many facets of a very common bird which is both easily seen and heard in Britain – though not so much, it seems, in Europe or elsewhere.

There are surprises everywhere (I'm about to spoil a couple, though). Even its name 'robin' is relatively recent – for centuries known as 'redbreasts', Victorians nicknamed them 'robin redbreasts', as they did 'tom tits' or 'jenny wren'. Moss reveals how the bird became associated with Christmas. And of course there are masses of more scientific observations about their migrations, territorial battles and life-and-death struggles, often told in the form of anecdotes from his own back garden or from a walk in the countryside.

Moss writes in the style of the Guardian Countryside Notes, quietly-written essays in beautiful English. Not long, great present.