THE IRISH ROBIN BY KILLIAN MULLARNEY
The Robin, known as "Spideog" in Irish, is a beloved and iconic bird in Ireland.
A common sight in gardens and woodlands, it is smaller and more delicate than its American counterpart, the American Robin. The Irish Robin has a bright orange breast and face, olive-brown back, and white belly, while the American Robin is larger with a brick-red breast, brown back, and white belly with black streaks.
While both birds share a similar name and appearance, they are not closely related. The Irish Robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family, while the American Robin is a member of the thrush family. This means they have different evolutionary histories and behaviours. The Irish Robin is known for its curious and friendly nature, often approaching humans, while the American Robin is more wary and tends to keep its distance.
The Robin features prominently on Christmas cards in the UK and Ireland due to a charming legend connecting them to postmen. In the Victorian era, postmen wore red coats and were nicknamed "Robins". This association, combined with the bird's cheerful appearance and winter presence, led to its adoption as a symbol of Christmas cheer and goodwill.
A common sight in gardens and woodlands, it is smaller and more delicate than its American counterpart, the American Robin. The Irish Robin has a bright orange breast and face, olive-brown back, and white belly, while the American Robin is larger with a brick-red breast, brown back, and white belly with black streaks.
While both birds share a similar name and appearance, they are not closely related. The Irish Robin belongs to the Old World flycatcher family, while the American Robin is a member of the thrush family. This means they have different evolutionary histories and behaviours. The Irish Robin is known for its curious and friendly nature, often approaching humans, while the American Robin is more wary and tends to keep its distance.
The Robin features prominently on Christmas cards in the UK and Ireland due to a charming legend connecting them to postmen. In the Victorian era, postmen wore red coats and were nicknamed "Robins". This association, combined with the bird's cheerful appearance and winter presence, led to its adoption as a symbol of Christmas cheer and goodwill.
THE IRISH ROBIN BY KILLIAN MULLARNEY