Tweeters,

I have done some research into vertebrates in the diets of American
Robins
in the past. It is a relatively uncommon occurrence with only 13
published
accounts that I know of. The list of vertebrates include, trout and
salmon
fry, chorus frogs, snakes of various species, shrews, and mice. Nearly
all
records have occurred during the breeding season. In my opinion these
represent opportunistic foraging behavior as opposed to foraging
behavior
directed at these types of prey items.

Russell

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Russell Rogers and Mary Moore
Emily Rogers and William Rogers
6637 Glenwood Drive SW
Olympia WA 98512
(360) 709-9870
mailto:rrogers at halcyon.com
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Russell Rogers
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Point Whitney Shellfish Laboratory
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1000 Point Whitney Road
Brinnon WA 98320
(360) 586-1498 ex 221
mailto:rogerrer at dfw.wa.gov
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Jerry Blinn wrote:

> Today, while watching our lawn plovers, er Robins, hunt worms for
> their babies, I saw a Robin pick up an 8 inch garter snake. Wow! The

> world's biggest worm! He and the snake wrestled, and after being
soundly
> banged on the ground for a few minutes, the snake stopped moving. The

> Robin then flew off with it directly to his/her nest.
>
> So what do you think? Will the babies be able to consume the snake?
> Did mamma really think it was a great worm? Will mamma break it into
> pieces? Will a baby try to swallow it whole? Do Robins do this a
lot?
> Are Robins closet raptors?
>
> Jerry Blinn
> Silverdale, WA
> jerry at avisys.net
>
> E-mail from: Jerry Blinn
>
> AviSys Web Site: <www.avisys.net>
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