Robin's Love
I currently have three bird feeders in my garden,
seed hanging tube feeder
fat ball wire cage feeder
dried worm window-mounted tray feeder
Each one attracts a different crowd.
The first one, for "seeds," is favored by small tits and sparrows.
The second one, for "fat balls," holds balls made of seeds and worms bound with vegetable oil. It is frequently visited by flocks of blue tits and long-tailed tits.
Large rose-ringed parakeets also love these. However, they are "devourers," so it is frustrating that nothing is left for the smaller birds after they raid it.
The third feeder is attached to the window for human observation, so it has become the go-to spot for robins, who are not afraid of people. That is why I mainly put their favorite, "worms," in it.
Robins are birds with a strong sense of territory, and unlike other birds, they usually come alone.
But today, for a change, two of them came to the feeder together. And since they came several times a day, I even succeeded in taking pictures of them!
The slightly larger one on the left is my acquaintance, Robny. The one on the right is a bit smaller and shy, Roch. ...My daughter had said for a while that there were two robins and had given them names. My daughter is a very observant child.
Apparently, late January is the mating season for robins. Once they choose a partner, they stay together to raise two or three broods until the end of summer, and then they part ways once the last chicks have fledged.
They live in their own separate territories again during the autumn and winter.
And the following year, they might remarry if they happen to meet the same partner again, but since the lifespan of a wild bird is short (while they can live for 10 years in a stable captive environment, the average is said to be 1-2 years), it is "normal" for robins who have survived a harsh winter to pair up with a different partner they meet at the best time each year!
...Despite their appearance, they are a dry and hard-boiled species.
"Marriage with you was fun, thank you!"
"Same here. This year, I laid 16 eggs in three batches, and four chicks fledged. A 25% success rate is a personal record. That's because you brought so much food!"
"It's because you were so good at raising them. If you'd like, I'll be singing here again next year..."
"Yes, if we both survive and meet again. But, if I don't show up..."
"I understand!"
"It was nice meeting you. Goodbye!"
"Yeah, goodbye... take care!"
I wonder if they part ways like that.
I cannot help but wish the couple, Robny and Roch, the best of luck.