The word "robin" is a commonly used term to describe a small, reddish-brown bird. Its spelling follows the English language's phonetic conventions, with each letter representing a specific sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, "robin" is spelled as /ˈrɑːbɪn/, with the stress on the first syllable. The sound of the letter "o" is represented by the symbol /ɑː/, while the letter "i" is pronounced as /ɪ/. The letter "b" represents a voiced bilabial plosive, and the final letter "n" is a voiced alveolar nasal.
A robin is a small, songbird belonging to the family Turdidae and the subfamily Turdinae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is the most well-known species and is known for its bright orange-red breast, white belly, and gray-brown upperparts. The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), also known as the robin redbreast, is a similar-sized bird with a distinctive red or orange breast and brownish upperparts.
Robins are renowned for their melodious and often cheerful song, which consists of a series of clear, short phrases. They are primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects, worms, and berries found on the ground or in low vegetation. In winter, when food is scarce, they may also eat fruits and seeds.
These birds are territorial and fiercely defend their feeding and breeding areas, often engaging in aggressive behavior towards intruders. They build cup-shaped nests, typically in trees or shrubs, using a mix of grass, moss, and other materials. Robins are monogamous and may form pairs that often stay together throughout the year.
Robins have long been associated with folklore, often being considered as a symbol of rebirth and renewal due to their vibrant plumage and arrival in spring. They are commonly seen as an emblem of Christmas in Western culture, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. Due to their distinctive appearance, beautiful song, and close association with humans, robins are widely beloved and admired birds.
A poisonous nucleoprotein from the inner bark of Robinia pseudacacia or American locust; emetic and purgative.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The most familiar of our wild birds, called robin-redbreast.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "robin" has an interesting etymology. It ultimately comes from the Old English word "robin" or "robbin", which meant a small horse or a kind of small bird. The origin of this word is uncertain, but it could potentially have been influenced by similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German "hrodbinso" or Old Norse "roðmaðr", both meaning "red bird".
The association of "robin" with the bird we now commonly know as Robin Redbreast or European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) developed during the medieval period. This connection likely arose due to the bird's distinctive reddish-orange breast feathers, reminiscent of the red hues associated with the name "robin".
It is important to note that the word "robin" has also been used historically to refer to other bird species in different regions.