How many worms does a robin need a day?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

On average, a robin needs 10-14 worms per day to meet its daily dietary requirements. The exact amount can vary based on the robin’s age, size, time of year and other factors. Robins are voracious eaters and primarily consume insects and worms.

How Many Worms Do Robins Eat Per Day?

Robins have a very high metabolism and need to consume large amounts of food on a frequent basis to maintain their energy levels. Here is a breakdown of how many worms a robin may eat per day:

Newly hatched chicks: Up to 14 worms per day

Fledglings: 7-10 worms per day
Juvenile robins: 10-14 worms per day
Adult robins: 10-14 worms per day

Baby robins hatch with an intense appetite. Their parents work hard to bring enough worms and insects to the nest to feed the hungry chicks. At two weeks old, a baby robin may consume up to 14 earthworms per day.

As the babies grow into fledglings and leave the nest, their worm intake decreases slightly to 7-10 per day. Fledglings are learning to find food on their own but still rely heavily on their parents during these early days out of the nest.

By the time a robin reaches adulthood, it will eat 10-14 worms daily. Some experts report adult robins eating as many as 60 worms per day during nesting season when food demands peak.

The amount of worms a robin eats also depends on the time of year. In warmer months when worms are plentiful near the soil surface, a robin may eat at the higher end of the range. In winter when worms are scarce, robins may eat at the lower end.

Why Do Robins Need So Many Worms?

Robins have an incredible appetite for worms because these invertebrates provide an excellent source of protein and fat. Here are some key reasons why worms are so important in a robin’s diet:

High in protein – Worms contain all 9 essential amino acids robins need for growth and maintenance.

Packed with nutrients – Earthworms provide iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and B vitamins.
Easy to digest – Soft-bodied worms are easy for robins to consume and digest quickly.
Readily available – Worms can be found year round close to the soil surface within a robin’s foraging range.

High in calories – Worms contain more calories ounce for ounce than many other common robin foods.

Robins have a very fast metabolism. Even at rest, their metabolic rate is about 20% higher than similar sized birds. They burn through calories quickly, so they need to eat frequent high-protein, high-fat meals. Worms allow robins to replenish their energy stores and satisfy their hunger multiple times a day.

In addition to their nutritional value, worms are a conveniently available food source. Robins use their keen eyesight to spot worms on the ground and can swiftly snap them up. This makes worms an efficient and readily attainable source of food.

What Percentage of a Robin’s Diet Is Worms?

Worms comprise 50-60% of a robin’s total diet. Here is a breakdown of the percentage that various food sources make up in a typical robin’s diet:

Worms – 50-60%
Insects – 30-40%

Berries – 5-10%
Fruit – 1-5%
Seeds – 1-2%

As these percentages indicate, earthworms form the majority of a robin’s sustenance. However, robins are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide variety of other invertebrates and food sources.

Some other common worms and insects a robin may eat include:

Beetles

Caterpillars
Ants
Grasshoppers

Crickets
Maggots
Snails

Millipedes
Spiders
Mealworms

Waxworms

Robins will supplement their diet with berries, fruits and seeds when available. But the foundation of their diet always consists largely of earthworms and insects.

Do Robins Eat Other Foods Besides Worms?

While worms make up over half of their diet, robins will opportunistically feed on a wide variety of other foods, including:

Insects – All life stages of insects are fair game, including eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, grasshoppers, crickets, maggots and more.
Berries – Robin favorites include cherries, chokecherries, dogwood berries, sumac berries, juniper berries, hackberries and holly berries.
Fruit – Robins will eat both wild and cultivated fruits in season, such as apples, apricots, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and more.

Seeds – Prefer small seeds like grass, sedge and ragweed seeds. Will also eat sunflower seeds from bird feeders.
Suet – Many robins are drawn to suet feeders stocked with nutritious cakes of seed-enriched animal fat.
Nuts – Usually eat insect larvae in nuts rather than cracking open shells. Will eat shelled nut pieces from platforms or ground.

Grains – Robins opportunistically eat some seeds and grains, including wheat, barley and rolled oats.

Robins have been known to catch and eat small fish, tree frogs, lizards and baby mice on occasion. But these make up a very small portion of their diet.

In autumn and winter when insect populations decline, robins rely more heavily on fruit. On very cold days when the ground is frozen, they may visit feeders for high-energy suet, nut pieces and grains. But worms and insects are a robin’s clear food preference when available.

How Do Robins Find So Many Worms Each Day?

Robins have several key adaptations that help them find worms efficiently:

Keen eyesight – Their sharp vision allows them to spot worms on the ground from 30 feet away.
Tilting head – Cocking their heads to one side gives them binocular vision to zero in on worms.

Quick reflexes – Robins can swiftly dart down and snatch up worms before they retreat underground.
Thrush beak – Their slightly curved bill is specialized for pulling worms from moist soil.
Good hearing – Robins can hear worms moving underground and probe the soil to find them.

Habitat knowledge – They remember productive worm hotspots to return to day after day.

Additionally, robins employ several hunting strategies and techniques to find the most worms possible:

Early morning hunting – Worms are closest to the surface at dawn before retreating deeper underground as the day heats up.

Moist habitats – Robins seek out lawns, fields and forests where the soil is damp and supportive of worms.
Feeding frenzies – When they find a worm bonanza, robins will call loudly to attract other robins to the site.
Worm charming – Robins create vibrations by stomping the ground to lure worms to the surface.

Habitat edges – They forage along grassy borders where worms crawl seeking refuge under leaves or logs.

Between their physical and behavioral adaptations, robins are extremely effective worm hunters. They have nearly everything they need to find and consume lots of worms on a daily basis.

What Are Some Good Worms for Robins to Eat in Backyards?

Here are some of the most common and nutritious worms robins feast on in backyards:

Earthworms – Particularly dew worms (Lumbricus terrestris) which live closer to the soil surface.
Red worms – Also called red wigglers or composting worms (Eisenia fetida), often found in compost bins.
Nightcrawlers – Large worm species (Lumbricus terrestris) prized by robins.

Green worms – Usually immature earthworms (Allolobophora chlorotica).
Top worms – Often immature nightcrawlers found higher in the soil column.
Manure worms – Various species found in manure piles like brandling worms.

Earthworms such as nightcrawlers, dew worms and red wigglers are perfectly safe and nutritional worms for robins. They can usually find plenty of worms naturally in your yard soil. But you can also buy cultured worms and release them into your garden beds or lawns.

Avoid giving robins worms from bait cups, which may carry parasites or other risks. Ensure any worms raised for robins are organic without pesticide exposure.

When Do Robins Need More Worms?

Robins need extra worms during:

Spring breeding season – Adults work hard to find enough worms to feed their hungry hatchlings in the nest.
Early nesting stage – Female robins need extra protein from worms to produce nutritious eggs.
Growth stages – Young robins need abundant worms while maturing from chicks to adult birds.

Migration – Requires plentiful worms to fatten up before and during migration journeys.
Cold snaps – Difficult to find worms when ground is frozen so robins benefit from backyard worm feeding stations.

You can support robins during high-need times by creating a worm-friendly lawn and garden. Composting and watering to keep soil moist encourages worms. Leaving leaf litter also gives worms places to hide.

You might also maintain a small worm bed or bin specifically for robins. Digging up some worms from this designated spot to place on the ground makes for easy robin feeding. Just be sure any worms gathered for robins are pesticide and disease free.

What Are Signs That Robins Need More Worms?

Here are some signs that robins in your yard may be struggling to find enough worms:

Increased bird competition – Lots of robins and other birds competing aggressively for worms.

Soil drilling – Robin makes many small holes in lawn probing desperately for worms.
Feeder interest – Increased robin visits to feeders for suet, fruit and mealworms.
Ground foraging – Robin spends more time flipping leaves and debris looking for worms.

Distress calls – High repetitive chirping indicating hunger.
Fledgling begging – Nonstop calls by fledglings for parents to deliver worms.
Weight loss – Breast muscle wasting from inadequate worms.

Healthy adult robins maintain a sleek appearance with a full, muscular breast. But robins visibly lose muscle mass and body fat without enough worms in their diet.

You may also notice less singing, decreased energy and lethargy in extreme cases of worm scarcity. Providing supplemental worms can help get struggling robins back in peak condition.

How Can I Help Robins Find More Worms in My Yard?

Here are some tips to make your yard more worm-friendly for robins:

Water lawn – Damp soil encourages worms to crawl near the surface where robins can easily snatch them.
Avoid pesticides – Chemicals reduce worm numbers making fewer worms available to birds.
Leave leaf litter – Allows worms to find shelter under decomposing leaves on the ground.

Mulch gardens – A thick layer of mulch mimics leaf litter and protects worms.
Plant native plants – Encourages worms with deep root structures to aerate soil.
Let turf grow taller – Provides more cover for worms to avoid hot sun and dryness.

Compost pile – Composting creates a worm haven that robins can forage.
Log pile – Rotting logs are attractive habitat for worms to hide under.

Making these landscape changes brings more earthworms out of hiding into areas where robins can easily snatch them up. A bird-friendly, worm-conscious yard design provides robins with an ample worm food source.

Should I Put Worms in My Yard to Feed Robins?

Putting out extra worms in your yard intentionally for robins is usually not necessary. But during challenging times of year, offering supplemental worms can provide a helpful boost. Here are some tips:

Select quality worms – Use only organic, pesticide-free worm species suitable for robins.
Find natural hotspots – Place worms in moist, sheltered areas robins already frequent.

Spread worms apart – Scatter worms loosely rather than in dense piles to mimic natural dispersion.
Check regulations – Some areas prohibit releasing worms or feed attractant wildlife.
Avoid overfeeding – Offer only enough to provide a supplemental source of worms.

Remove worm cups – Don’t leave out bait worm containers which may spread diseases.
Consider feeders – Suet and mealworm feeders are lower risk worm alternatives.

With a quality worm habitat in your yard, robins should be able to meet most of their worm needs independently. But giving them an extra worm boost during challenging times can help them thrive.

What Can I Feed Robins Besides Worms?

While worms are a robin’s favorite food, you can also offer robins these alternative foods:

Mealworms – Dry or live mealworms served in platform feeders or scattered on ground.
Chopped fruit – Berries, apple pieces, grapes, banana and melon.

Suet cakes – High energy suet loaded with seeds and berries.
Crushed nuts – Almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts.
Canned cat/dog food – Select meat-based varieties with no additives.

Live insects – Crickets, grasshoppers, beetles and fly larvae from pet stores.
Sunflower chips – Suited for robins from typical bird feeders.
Raisins – Soaked in water to rehydrate before serving.

These nutritious foods can help supplement worms in a robin’s diet. Offer a diversity of foods across feeders to provide robins with a balanced source of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Conclusion

Worms are the primary component of a robin’s diet for good reason – they provide an abundant source of protein, fat, nutrients and calories. On average, a robin needs 10-14 worms per day. But they may eat up to 60 worms daily during peak feeding times like nesting season.

Robins are well equipped to hunt worms with their keen eyesight, swift movements and specialized beaks. By watering lawns, avoiding chemicals and making other simple habitat changes, you can encourage more worms to crawl within a robin’s reach.

While worms are their clear favorite, robins will opportunistically feed on a diversity of other foods like insects, berries and suet. Providing supplemental food during challenging times gives robins the energy they need to thrive. If you see signs robins are struggling to find enough worms, consider putting out additional high-protein foods.

With a bird-friendly backyard supplying their favorite foods, robins will have the nourishment they need to meet their incredible daily worm requirements.