Fluffy robin.

[carolinej]

This may be a silly question, but do robins usually have what looks like a pair of fluffy boxer shorts on?

I have 2 robins that look like 'normal' but one has loads of fluff around the top of his legs.

cj

[manicscousers]

I wonder if it's a baby ? , bet it looks cute, though 

[Robert_Brenchley]

Does it have a red breast? They don't appear until the first moult in the autumn.

[carolinej]

I dont think it is a baby, as it is quite big. Also, it has its red breast.

I'll go put some food out and see if I can get him to pose for a pic.

cj

[carolinej]

Well, this is the best pic I could manage. I think he is camera shy.



Cute fella though

cj

[manicscousers]

it's got a widow's peak..dracula robin, watch your neck !! 

[carolinej]

Sorry manicscousers, I'm not sure what you mean Is this a type of robin, or is it one with an old wives tale attatched. Or do you mean something completely different.

Sorry, I will try to keep up

cj

[manicscousers]

no, I'm only joking, I've never seen a robin like that..you need someone who's an expert in birds..come on, you lot, there's got to be someone out there..i think he's loverly 

[Marymary]

 Maybe his mummy got a bit confused and had a fling with a bantam.    Is very cute in his fluffy shorts.

[manicscousers]

i've just had a look at the garden birds uk site, there's a robin called a 'songster', it has the widows peak but not the fluffy 'trousers', so it's a possibility 

[greenscrump]

moulting maybe ??

[carolinej]

I've just been looking on the web, but there doesnt seem to be anything like him on there.  Will keep looking. Please ask around for me, as I would love to know if he is a 'special' one.

cj

[carolinej]

moulting maybe ??

He's been like it for weeks.

cj

[Carol]

If he/she has been sitting on eggs and bringing up young for anumber of weeks, then they do get a bit bedraggled.  I know by the end of the summer most birds are in a state then they have their moult.   

[carolinej]

I could  be wrong, but I really dont think he is moulting. He just seems to have loads of fluff/fluffy feathers around his rear end and legs. If you look at the back of him , there seems to be a lot of it on his lower back too.

cj

[emmy1978]

Oh he is soooooo cute in his wee troosers. Can't be of any help in identifying him though sorry!

[Marian]

Could it be a mutation?  The bottom feathers seem to grow in a strange direction ...    Hopefully, the lovely Robin is not hindered in his flight because of those feathers...

[carolinej]

Dont worry, he flies really well. I se him fly as he is back and forth to my bird table quite a few times a day. He also looks really helthy. All his plumage is in good condition.

cj

[Marian]

Thanks for letting us know Caroline. 

[norfolklass]

have you tried emailing your pic to the RSPB to see if they know anything about robins with fluffy trousers?
I think he's gorgeous, and glad to hear he's healthy and not weighed down by all those feathery bits