This morning a pair of robins (male and female, the male with blackish
head, female uniformly brown above) were foraging together on lawns
in this NE Portland residential neighborhood. The male found a
juicy-looking nice-size worm, pulled it out of the ground, ran off a
short distance and left it. The female, which had been a few feet (7-8)
away, came over and ate it.

In many years of bird-watching, I have not seen this before, male
robing foraging in the company with and for the female, though male
birds often feed mates on nests.) I suppose
the male might not have been hungry, and left said worm soley for that
reason (lost interest after capturing it -- seems unlikely), but it sure
looked more as though he left it with the intent that the female should
have it. If the pair was mated, that seeming altruism would have a
gene-leaving advantage after a successful reproductive effort if the female
were in good physiological condition ready for nesting.

I am aware that plumage is not always reliable for sexing
robins, but chances are this was a mated pair. I might
mention that some of the robins in these parts are certainly on territory,
while others are still passing through.

I would be interested in any comments.

Brian Sharp
2234 NE 9th Av
Portland, Or 97212
503-287-6501
ecopers at teleport.COM