Watercolor portrait of American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

American Robin

Turdus migratorius
American Robins live across most of Nort… Look for robins in yards, parks, forest… Common Cheerful carol

Learn to identify the American Robin by ear. Master the "cheerily cheer-up" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily”

What the American Robin sounds like

The American Robin is the classic lawn bird—gray-brown above, warm brick-orange below, with a crisp white eye ring that shows at close range. It runs, pauses, and tilts its head as if listening before tugging a worm from the grass.

“cheerily cheer-up”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A rich string of clear, whistled phrases, often given at dawn or from a high perch. It sounds bright, relaxed, and wonderfully familiar. Often written as “cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily”.
Don't confuse with:The Varied Thrush — more boldly patterned, with a dark breast band and orange eyebrow.

Lessons featuring the American Robin

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the American Robin's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.

Backyard Day Shift lesson habitat
Backyard Day Shift
Tier 1 · Right Out the Door
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Where you'll hear it

Look for robins in yards, parks, forest edges, orchards, and open woods. They like short grass for hunting and nearby trees or shrubs for nesting and roosting.

They are often among the first birds singing at dawn in spring, pouring out rich caroling phrases from treetops and rooftops. In winter, they may seem to disappear from lawns and gather instead in fruit-feeding flocks.

Similar species

Varied Thrush

More boldly patterned, with a dark breast band and orange eyebrow.

Eastern Bluebird

Smaller and slimmer, with bright blue above and a much neater rusty chest.

Wood Thrush

Has a white belly covered with bold dark spots.

American Robin song FAQ

What does an American Robin sound like?
A rich string of clear, whistled phrases, often given at dawn or from a high perch. It sounds bright, relaxed, and wonderfully familiar. Listen for the "cheerily cheer-up" phrase.
How do I tell an American Robin from a Varied Thrush by sound?
Varied Thrush: More boldly patterned, with a dark breast band and orange eyebrow.; Usually found in darker forests, especially in the West.; Lacks the robin's clean white eye ring and classic lawn-bird behavior..
When is the best time to hear an American Robin?
They are often among the first birds singing at dawn in spring, pouring out rich caroling phrases from treetops and rooftops. In winter, they may seem to disappear from lawns and gather instead in fruit-feeding flocks.