If you’ve noticed robins pecking away in your freshly seeded lawn or garden, you may be wondering if these birds are feasting on the grass seed you just planted. Robins are a common sight across North America, easily recognized by their bright red breasts.
But do these familiar backyard birds actually eat grass seed?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Robins do sometimes eat grass seed, but it is not a major part of their diet. They are primarily insectivores and will opportunistically eat seeds as well.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the robin’s diet in depth, explain when and why they may nibble on grass seed, provide tips to deter robins from eating seed, and discuss whether robin activity damages lawns and gardens.
The Robin’s Diet: Primarily Insects and Fruit
Insects Are Their Main Food Source
Robins consume a wide variety of insects including beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, spiders, and earthworms. Studies show that over 60% of the robin’s diet consists of insects during the spring and summer nesting season (1).
They use their excellent eyesight to scan open lawns for movement and dive down quickly to snatch crawling or flying insects. It’s amazing they find so many tasty bugs while hopping across grassy areas!
Fruit Makes Up Much of Their Diet In Fall and Winter
When insect populations decline in fall and winter, robins switch to eating fruits and berries from shrubs and trees as their main food source. Some of their favorites include raspberries, blackberries, dogwood berries, sumac, holly, cedar, and juniper berries (2).
Robins migrate south for the winter and can be seen flocking to berry bushes and roosting trees in large groups, enjoying the plentiful fruit. Research indicates over 75% of the robin’s winter diet consists of fruit (3).
They occasionally eat grass seeds but usually ignore them if fruit is readily available.
Seeds and Grains Are a Small Part of Their Overall Diet
While robins don’t purposefully seek out grass seeds as a primary food source, they may occasionally ingest some when hunting for insects in lawns or fields. However, seeds and grains make up less than 5% of their total food intake in most studies (4).
Robins prefer protein and sugar-rich insects and fruits that provide optimum nutrition for breeding, migrating long distances, and enduring cold winter months.
| Food Source | Percentage of Diet |
|---|---|
| Insects (beetles, caterpillars, etc.) | 60%+ (in spring / summer) |
| Fruits (berries, dogwood, etc.) | 75%+ (in fall / winter) |
| Seeds and grains | Less than 5% |
When and Why Robins May Eat Grass Seed
Seed Provides Extra Calories and Fat
Grass seed can offer robins a nutritional boost, packing extra calories and fats that provide energy (1, 2). The American robin’s diet consists mainly of 40% invertebrates and 50% fruit, with some seeds and occasionally grass (3).
While robins get most of what they need from worms and berries, seed gives their diet a vitamin-rich kick.
Robins Take Advantage of Readily Available Food Sources
Robins display an opportunistic foraging behavior, readily eating what is available in the environment (3). This explains why they may feast upon grass seed, especially when it is abundant. Robins are resourceful, finding meals wherever insects hide or fruit and seeds occur naturally.
In fact, robins have a wingspan over 1 foot wide, allowing them to cover large ground areas quickly in search of food (4). So if grass seed happens to be spread over a lawn or garden bed, expect robins to seize the nutritious and easy opportunity.
Their Foraging is Greatest in Spring
Late winter and early spring is prime nesting season for robins across North America (5). To breed successfully, the birds require extra nutrition to produce healthy eggs and raise fledglings. This heightened energy requirement sends robins foraging more actively (6).
Coinciding with nesting season is cool, wet weather which brings up earthworms and germinates grass seed (3). So the increased abundance of natural food sources overlaps perfectly with when robins need it most. This combination regularly leads breeding robins to consume grass seed in early spring.
Tips to Deter Robins From Eating Grass Seed
Wait to Seed Until Robin Activity Declines
The best time to plant grass seed is when robin activity starts to decline in mid to late summer. Robins are most active in spring and early summer when they are nesting and raising their young. By late summer, robin families have dispersed and adults are less territorial.
There will be fewer robins searching for food in your yard at this time of year. Hold off fertilizing and overseeding your lawn until August or September to avoid peak robin season.
Scatter Seed Under Cover of Mulch or Straw
Mulch and straw can be effective camouflage for grass seed. Spread a thin layer of clean wheat straw or pine straw over newly seeded areas. The mulch will hide the seed from robins and also help retain moisture while the grass germinates. Remove any excess mulch after grass seedlings emerge.
You can also try hydromulch, a green-dyed mulch made of wood fiber that is sprayed onto the lawn. The green color blends in with grass to obscure the seed.
Use Repellents and Scare Tactics Strategically
Scarecrows, plastic owls, flashing lights, and aluminum pie pans that clatter in the breeze can deter robins from treated areas. But robins quickly catch on when these devices are stationary. Move scare tactics every 2-3 days to maximize their effectiveness.
You can also try scattering bird repellent granules containing the active ingredient methyl anthranilate around freshly seeded turf. Methyl anthranilate makes grass seed taste bad but is non-toxic to birds. Reapply after rainfall.
Plant in Less-Visible Areas of Your Yard
Consider planting grass seed in your side or back yard instead of front yard areas that get heavy robin traffic. The backyard tends to be quieter and attract fewer birds. Plant behind bushes, trees and structures to block the seed from robin’s view.
East-facing sides of the house that get morning sun but remain shaded in the afternoon are good spots. Just be sure to water these semi-shaded areas regularly since they dry out faster.
Does Robin Activity Damage Lawns and Gardens?
Minor Damage to Germinating Seeds
Robins can sometimes cause minor damage to lawns and gardens when they scratch around looking for seeds and insects. This activity is most common in early spring when seeds are germinating and seedlings are just emerging.
Robins may dig up some grass seedlings or vegetable/flower seeds in their search for food.
According to the Audubon Society, robins eat about 50 percent insects and 50 percent plant material. They rely primarily on earthworms and other soft-bodied insects early in spring before other insects have emerged and before berry crops are ripe.
So they supplement their diet with seeds and new green growth.
Well-Established Lawns Are Unaffected
While robin activity can damage newly seeded or sprouting lawns and gardens, well-established turfgrass is generally unaffected. Mature grass plants have deeper roots and tougher blades that can withstand minor scratching from bird activity.
So unless a lawn is newly seeded in early spring, the minor digging of robins searching for worms does not pose a real problem.
| Newly Seeded Lawns | At Risk from Robin Damage |
| Mature, Well-Established Lawns | Unaffected by Robins |
Focus Efforts on Deterring Early Damage
The best approach is to focus efforts on preventing robin damage on newly seeded areas in early spring. Temporary fencing or netting can be installed to keep robins from digging in seed beds. Scare tape, decoys, or spray repellents may also deter them from frequenting high-risk areas.
But well-established lawns and gardens can withstand normal robin activity without intervention.
Robins play an important role in controlling insects and rarely pose a major threat to landscapes. With some early season protective measures where needed, home gardeners can happily coexist with these springtime visitors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, robins do sometimes snack on freshly planted grass seed, especially in early spring when establishing territory and raising young. While insect hunting makes up the majority of their diet, robins will take advantage of any readily available food source, including seeds.
Damage to lawns and gardens is usually minor, but can be prevented by taking steps to make your seed less visible and accessible. A seeding strategy that accounts for robin activity will result in a lush, green lawn that both you and neighborhood robins can enjoy.
