Robins are a familiar sight across much of North America, recognizable by their reddish-orange breast feathers. But while they may be a constant presence in northern backyards during the spring and summer, what happens to them when winter arrives? Do robins stay in Florida year round, or do they migrate?
Quick Answer
Most robins do not stay in Florida year-round. The robins commonly seen in Florida during the winter are typically migrants from more northern areas. However, there is a smaller non-migratory population of robins that breeds and resides in Florida year-round, mainly in the central and southern parts of the state.
Robin Migration Patterns
There are three populations of robins in Florida throughout the year:
- Breeding birds – These are robins that nest and breed in Florida during the spring and summer months. Some remain in Florida year-round while others migrate north to breed.
- Wintering birds – These are robins that breed in northern areas like Canada and the northern U.S. but migrate south to spend the winter in Florida where the climate is milder.
- Transient migrants – These robins pass through Florida briefly in spring and fall as they migrate between breeding grounds up north and wintering grounds further south.
During summer, the majority of robins seen in northern and central Florida are breeding birds that nest and raise young there. Some of these breeding birds are year-round residents, while others migrate south for the winter and return to Florida each spring to breed.
In winter, the abundance of robins increases substantially across the state as large numbers of robins from up north arrive to overwinter. Banding and tracking studies indicate these wintering robins largely originate from breeding populations in Canada and the northern U.S. states like Minnesota, Michigan, New York and New England.
Come spring, most of the wintering robins depart Florida as they migrate back to their breeding grounds up north. The overwintering birds are replaced by a surge of transient robins just passing through Florida on their way further north. Meanwhile the Florida nesting birds remain and are joined by northern breeders migrating back down to raise another brood.
Year-Round Robin Populations in Florida
While the majority of robins leave Florida for part of the year, there are some year-round resident populations. These non-migratory robins can be found breeding in central and southern Florida including cities like Orlando, Tampa and Miami.
Research estimates there are approximately 30,000 pairs of robins breeding in Florida year-round, predominantly in the central and southern regions. Central Florida, with its mild winters, provides a suitable habitat for overwintering robins that do not need to migrate further south.
These year-round resident robins stake out and defend their breeding territories in Florida throughout the winter months. While the seasonal migratory robins are departing in spring, the Florida residents remain to build nests, lay eggs and raise young through the summer. Studies show Florida’s year-round robins typically produce two broods per year.
Some key areas where non-migratory robin populations have been observed in Florida include:
- Archbold Biological Station near Lake Placid
- Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville
- Disney Wilderness Preserve near Kissimmee
- Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area near Starke
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound
- Everglades National Park
The resident robins remain nesting and foraging in these areas while most migrant robins come and go with the seasons.
Robin Migration Timing in Florida
The number of robins present in Florida fluctuates throughout the year as birds arrive and depart on migration. Here is an overview of robin migration patterns across the seasons in Florida:
Spring
– March – Early migrant robins start arriving in Florida, joining overwintered birds and year-round residents. Transient migrants also passing through in growing numbers.
– April – Robin spring migration peaks as large numbers move through Florida heading north. Breeding birds settling into nesting territories.
– May – Migration activity declines as last transient migrants pass through. Breeding robins nesting and raising first broods.
Summer
– June-July – Nesting and breeding season for Florida robins. Mostly year-round residents and summer breeding migrants present.
– August – Second nestings commence for another brood before fall migration.
Fall
– September – Transient robins pass through Florida migrating south from northern breeding areas.
– October – Fall migration peaks with large numbers of robins arriving in Florida from up north to spend winter.
– November – Migration activity winds down with the bulk of wintering robins settled in Florida.
Winter
– December-February – Overwintering robins present across Florida. Year-round residents remain on territories while most migrants have arrived from the north.
Migration times can vary slightly from year to year depending on weather conditions and other factors. But in general, March-May and September-November are the peak periods of robin migration through Florida as they head to and from their breeding grounds further north.
Do robins stay in Florida year round? Conclusion
While sizable numbers of robins overwinter in Florida each year, most do not remain there year-round. The majority that spend the winter in Florida migrate north again in spring to breeding grounds in Canada and northern parts of the United States.
However, there is a segment of Florida’s robin population, estimated at around 30,000 pairs, that resides in central and southern parts of the state year-round. These non-migratory robins stake out breeding territories and produce two broods per year without leaving Florida.
So in summary, while the robins present in winter are generally migrants from up north, some robin populations do live in Florida all year without migrating. But the majority of robins seen in Florida are transient migrants and seasonal winter residents rather than permanent year-round residents.
