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Nature Study: Robin Nest & Babies

19 May, 2011; Filed Under: homeschool

A few weeks ago, we noticed that a bird was building a nest in our back porch. We guessed at what kind it might be since we hadn’t seen the actual birds in process of building. I had guessed some sort of sparrow, but we soon saw that it was a robin pair who had taken up residence.

robin nest

We looked up information on robins in our favorite little backyard bird handbook, Stokes Beginner’s Guide to Birds: Eastern Region.

Back porch nature study: robin nest & eggs!

We learned that robins make their nests of grass and mud, usually on the limb of a tree or on a building ledge. We found it interesting that our robin pair had made two more starter nests in the porch before they chose their final location.

Once we’d seen that she was sitting on the nest pretty regularly, we climbed up for a peek at her pretty eggs. Robins typically lay 3-7 eggs, and have an incubation time of 12-14 days. And of course, they’re robin’s egg blue!

robin nest with eggs

Yesterday, after much anticipation, we had babies!

Kathryn was the first one to notice that the mama robin brought back a worm and a little head popped up to eat it! We know from watching the house finch nest on our front door a few years ago that these babies will grow FAST!

Newly Hatched Robins

Though right now they don’t even seem to have their eyes open, in about two weeks, these little birdies will be fledglings, and the adult pair will likely have one or two more broods before summer is over. I’m glad my kids don’t grow up that fast!

The girls and I have been talking about how amazing it is that God created birds to know things like where and how to build nests, how often they have to sit on their nests to properly incubate the eggs, what and how to feed the babies, and that the babies know to be quiet when mama and dad are away from the nest.

I love that we can enjoy nature study just about any time or place!

(UPDATE: read the dramatic continuation of our study here: Up-close Robin Nature Study)

Jamie

Wife, mama, homeschooler, dog-wrangler. Introvert who finds joy in good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Fitness enthusiast and strength coach. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand.

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Emily
Emily
19 May, 2011 8:40 am

That is probably the most fun Nature Study for your children! 🙂 God presents so many fascinating science lessons for us right outside our doors! How neat to have little robins to watch grow!

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Janie
Janie
19 May, 2011 10:34 am

I love baby birds. Enjoy.

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Barb-Harmony Art Mom
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
19 May, 2011 11:02 am

The color of their eggs always amazes me…I wonder why they are blue?

Don’t forget to look up robins in your HNS…there is a wealth of ideas and info on robins to glean from. It may give you some ideas for giving your robin watching another layer. I love it when nature study comes to our family without much effort.

Thanks for sharing your nest, eggs, and birds with the OHC.

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Jamie
Jamie
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Reply to  Barb-Harmony Art Mom
19 May, 2011 1:54 pm

Yes, we are looking through the HNS this coming week, as we should have about two weeks of baby-bird watching!

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Michelle DeRusha
Michelle DeRusha
19 May, 2011 1:28 pm

Hi Jamie, I’m popping over from Jamie’s place — I enjoyed your post there.

Love these pictures and your post about the baby robins — it’s funny that I wrote about baby birds and a nest near our house today, too — spring means baby birds!

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Tricia @Hodgepodge
Tricia @Hodgepodge
19 May, 2011 2:14 pm

Oh wonderful! Wonderful experience. Thanks so much for sharing your study and your photos. Love the nest of blue eggs especially. Needs to go on your wall 🙂

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Victoria
Victoria
19 May, 2011 4:15 pm

Beautiful eggs!! Wow!

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Jess
Jess
19 May, 2011 8:46 pm

We have a nest on our front porch too, but I haven’t seen too much activity. Beautiful pictures!

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Kristin
Kristin
19 May, 2011 9:59 pm

Oh, that color is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! ~K

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CM in the City
CM in the City
19 May, 2011 11:12 pm

What fun! I haven’t seen a robin’s nest in ages, though I occasionally see a broken blue egg on the ground. They are either really good at hiding their nests or I’m not as observant as I should be. It will be fun to watch these chicks grow up – enjoy!

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Bliss Ellison
Bliss Ellison
20 May, 2011 1:49 am

So sweet story.
Whether, its human beings, its birds, or its animals, babies are always so cute.
Plus, God has created this in the ‘Instinct’ of the animals that how to sit on the nests and on the eggs and how to feed the babies.

anyways, it was enjoyable and informative to read.

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Phyllis at All Things Beautiful
Phyllis at All Things Beautiful
31 May, 2011 9:01 am

Those are some fascinating photos!

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Zonnah
Zonnah
31 May, 2011 1:22 pm

That is so cool that you can watch the progress!

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