How to attract robins to your garden? 5 tips and tricks

With its reddish-orange belly and melodious song, the robin is a fascinating bird that doesn’t hesitate to approach humans. But did you know that it’s also a valuable ally for your garden?

By feeding on harmful insects such as slugs, caterpillars or spiders, it helps to preserve the balance of your green space.

How can you provide the perfect refuge to encourage your child to settle in permanently? Here are 5 simple tips to implement.

Five captivating tips for welcoming robins into your home »

1. Install a suitable feeder

The robin is not an acrobatic bird. Unlike tits, which easily cling to hanging feeders, it prefers to feed on a stable surface.

Choose a platform-type feeder or place the food directly on a garden table or on the ground, provided there are no cats nearby.

Where to place the feeder?

• In a quiet and uncrowded location
• About 1.5 m from the ground to protect it from predators
• Near a tree or shrub where he can observe the area before coming to eat
• Sheltered from wind and heavy rain

Tip: Clean the feeder regularly to prevent the spread of disease.

2. Provide him with suitable food

Winter is a difficult time for robins because food is scarce. By helping them feed, you increase their chances of survival and encourage their return each year.

What to give a robin?

• Fat balls (without plastic mesh)
• Special robin mix (seeds, dried fruits, insects)
• Sunflower, poppy or oat seeds
• Crushed nuts, hazelnuts, unsalted peanuts
• Mealworms or other small dried insects

To avoid: Bread, difficult to digest and poor in nutrients.

Think about water too! Place a shallow bowl of water nearby, especially in winter when natural water features are frozen.

3. Install a nest box to accommodate it

As winter draws to a close, the robin begins looking for a nesting site. It prefers nest boxes with large or completely open openings, often installing them in discreet locations such as a woodpile or an old, overturned flowerpot.

Where to install the nest box?

• 1.50 to 3 meters from the ground
• Against a wall or a tree (avoid branches too exposed to the wind)
• South or southeast facing to capture the morning heat
• In a quiet location, away from frequent traffic

Tip: Choose a nest box made of untreated raw wood ( larch or red cedar ) to avoid toxic substances.

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