Living with Birds How to tame a robin uk Tweetapedia

With his bright red breast the Robin is easily identified. A regular visitor to our gardens the Robin can become tame even feeding from the hand.

How do you make your Robin hand tame? Here are a few tips on how to hand tame a robin.

First spend time in the garden sitting or standing still. Position yourself not too far from the bird feeder your Robin might be visiting. When you see him throw some food on the ground. Your Robin will start to associate you with food.

This is important in the taming process. Slowly over a few days either throw or place it closer to where you quietly sit. Your Robin should slowly build trust that you are not a threat. This process of training a robin is a lot easier if you already spend lots of time in your garden near your bird feeders.

Once coming close and perhaps even hopping around your feet. The final stage is to get him hopping on to your hand. 

This last stage may take a few attempts. But once he is confident, he will keep coming back. Some foods will work better than others. I Love Robins® bird food or a Robin mix will be a great temptation for your Robin.

During spring and early summer when your Robins may be feeding young there is nothing more tempting than offering live mealworms. If you are happy at placing a few mealworms in the palm then this is the best way to gain their trust. Mealworms are a favourite Robin treat.

Robins just like humans have individual personalities. Understanding which foods, they prefer will help strengthen your bond with your feathered friend.

It is important not to make sudden movements or sounds and don’t try to touch them as you might scare them away. Allow your Robin to become comfortable with your presence and become a regular visitor to your garden.

A tame garden Robin that will come your hand for food will allow you to enjoy their beauty up close and give you a connection to nature.

Frequently asked questions:

Can a robin be tamed?

Yes. Unlike other small birds, robins are innately curious and can rather easily be taught to hand feed.

Can other garden birds be tamed? 

Yes, but they aren't as easy to tame as the robin. See the photo below shows some tame coal tits feeding from a hand in the UK.