We have friendly robins in the garden. I shot this photo about a foot away from the bird, who was waiting around hoping we would dig up some dirt so he could get something to eat.

Writings by Kirk McElhearn
We have friendly robins in the garden. I shot this photo about a foot away from the bird, who was waiting around hoping we would dig up some dirt so he could get something to eat.
We have lots of birds but one regular breakfast bird – a splendid cock pheasant, who taps on the patio window if we haven’t put crumbs on the step for him!
Kirk, Here in the midwest of the US we’re used to having Robins act as harbingers of spring, but until this photo I’d never seen one with a blue breast. Does it have a specific name that you know of?
Mike Scott
Yes, growing up in New York, I knew the robin in spring. The European Robin is different, and, in the UK, is considered to be a Christmas bird. They have varying colors, apparently, with white, gray, and blue on their breasts. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_robin
Western Bluebird.
European Robin.
Thanks, Kirk. A beautiful bird, regardless of name.