Are There American Robins in Wyoming?
Yes, American Robins are common throughout Wyoming during the breeding season. They are primarily migratory, arriving in April and May and departing by September or October. Some robins overwinter in lower elevations and river valleys during mild years. Robins breed across the state from the Bighorn Basin to the Wind River Range.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
American Robin · Public domain CC0
American Robin · Public domain CC0
American Robin · Public domain CC0
- 1
- species recorded
- 118,967
- GBIF records
- 6
- birding hotspots
- June, July, May
- peak months
Yes, american robins are in Wyoming. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,441 verified observations on iNaturalist of american robin have been recorded in Wyoming, most often in June, July, May.
When american robin are recorded in Wyoming
Yes, American Robins are common throughout Wyoming during the breeding season. They are primarily migratory, arriving in April and May and departing by September or October. Some robins overwinter in lower elevations and river valleys during mild years. Robins breed across the state from the Bighorn Basin to the Wind River Range.
Where American Robins Live in Wyoming
American Robins occupy diverse Wyoming habitats during the breeding season, from lowland river valleys to mountain elevations above 10,000 feet. The Rocky Mountain region, which dominates western Wyoming, provides extensive suitable habitat in meadows, forest edges, and river bottomlands. The Bighorn Basin in north-central Wyoming features robins in sagebrush valleys and river drainages. The Snake River Valley and surrounding lower elevations in northwestern Wyoming offer abundant robin habitat. Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas support significant robin populations in meadows and forest openings. The Wind River Range, among Wyoming's most imposing mountains, provides alpine and subalpine meadow habitat for breeding robins. The Green River Valley offers riparian habitat with cottonwoods and willows supporting robins. The Laramie Range in southeastern Wyoming provides forest and meadow habitat. The Absaroka Mountains in northern Wyoming host robins in higher-elevation openings. Lower elevations throughout the state support higher densities of breeding robins. The Powder River Basin contains suitable habitat in riparian corridors and scattered woodlands. The Little Snake River area in northwestern Wyoming supports robins in semiarid valley habitat. Robins breed statewide wherever suitable combinations of nesting trees and open foraging ground exist. They are found in ranch settings, small towns, and extensive wild areas. Visit/wildlife/wyomingto explore more Wyoming wildlife. Seethe American Robin guide for Wyomingfor more.
Seasonal Timing and Migration Patterns
American Robins are strongly migratory in Wyoming, with pronounced seasonal movements. Spring migration typically begins in April, with early arrivals in southern and lower-elevation portions of the state. By mid-May, robins have established territories statewide, including high mountain elevations. Later snows at high elevations sometimes delay breeding season arrivals. Breeding season runs from May through July, with peak nesting activity in June. Males establish territories in April and May, singing loudly to declare ownership. Nest building occurs in May, with eggs typically laid in late May and early June. Incubation lasts about two weeks, so chicks appear in late June and early July. Fledglings leave nests in early July, with parents feeding them for several additional weeks. Some pairs raise second broods extending breeding season into late July or even August. Fall migration begins in August, with northbound birds from southern breeding grounds moving through Wyoming. Southbound Wyoming robins begin departing in mid-August, with most gone by September. Peak fall migration occurs September through early October. By late October, few robins remain in Wyoming. Winter robins are rare and restricted to lower elevations and river valleys where open water and berry-producing plants provide survival resources. Most Wyoming robins spend winters in southern United States or Central America. Seethe Wyoming wildlife guidefor more.
How to Identify American Robins
American Robins are distinctive and easily identified in Wyoming. Adult males display a striking brick-red or rust-orange breast that contrasts sharply with a gray-brown back. The head is darker, nearly charcoal-gray, with a bold white eye-ring visible at close range. Females are considerably duller overall, with a pale, muted orange-red or peachy breast and lighter back coloration. Young robins have a completely different appearance, with spotted breasts lacking any orange-red coloring. All robins are stout, round-bodied birds measuring about 9 to 11 inches in length. They characteristically carry themselves upright and often cock their tails skyward. In flight, white undertail coverts create a distinctive white patch beneath the tail, useful for identification at a distance. The call is loud and clear, a cheerful cheer-o, cheer-o, cheerio that is easily learned and remembered. Male robins sing persistently during spring and early summer, making their presence obvious. The song becomes a familiar sound of Wyoming springs and early summers. Robins are noticeably larger than sparrows but smaller than jays. Western field guides contain detailed illustrations showing males, females, and young birds at various life stages. The combination of size, shape, brick-red breast, and distinctive hopping behavior makes robins unmistakable with a little familiarity.
Best Places to See Robins in Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park offers spectacular robin viewing, particularly in meadows and forest edges throughout the park's vast acreage. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley provide excellent viewing during spring and summer. Grand Teton National Park features robins in lower-elevation meadows and river bottoms. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort area offers robins in mixed forest and meadow habitat. Bridger-Teton National Forest spans nearly 3.4 million acres with excellent robin habitat in clearings and meadow systems. Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness offers alpine meadows with robins during summer months. Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming provides extensive habitat. Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn Range has high-elevation robin habitat. Shoshone National Forest near Cody offers forest and meadow combinations. Flaming Gorge area in southwestern Wyoming provides lower-elevation habitat. Green River area supports riparian robins. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest offers meadow and forest habitat. Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge protects riparian habitat along the Green River. Any Wyoming valley or lower-elevation area with scattered trees and open ground supports robins. Spring and early summer offer the most dramatic robin activity, with singing, territorial behavior, and active foraging. May and June provide peak viewing opportunities. Roadside stops in Yellowstone often produce robin sightings. High mountain meadows in July and August host breeding robins. Learn more at/wildlife/wyoming/american-robin.
Diet and Behavior
American Robins are famous for ground foraging, hopping across lawns, meadows, and open areas while stopping frequently to listen and watch for earthworms and soil invertebrates. After rain, when soil is moist and worms are active near the surface, robins become intensely engaged in this hunting behavior. They pull earthworms from soil and consume them, often carrying multiple worms in their beaks to feed to chicks. Beyond earthworms, robins consume beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ants, and numerous other insects and invertebrates. During breeding season, insect consumption increases dramatically to meet the enormous food demands of growing young. Fall and winter diets shift heavily toward fruit, with robins consuming berries from various trees and shrubs. In Wyoming, juniper berries and serviceberry provide important winter food. Socially, robins are territorial during breeding season, with males vigorously defending territory through singing and chasing rival males. Males establish territories in April and sing persistently from high perches. Robins build distinctive cup-shaped nests of mud, grass, and twigs, placing them in trees, shrubs, and sometimes on human structures. Females construct the majority of the nest while males bring nesting materials and food. Both parents feed fledglings after they leave the nest for up to three weeks. Robins are vocal and animated birds, making them highly visible and entertaining to watch throughout their Wyoming breeding season.
Living Safely with Robins
American Robins are protected by federal law and are completely harmless to people and pets. They are beneficial birds that consume enormous quantities of insects, many of which are agricultural pests. Supporting robins in Wyoming requires simple actions. Maintain some open ground for foraging, such as lawns or meadows. Avoid pesticides, which reduce insect populations and can accumulate in robin tissues causing harm. Provide water through bird baths or shallow dishes, which robins use for drinking and bathing during the breeding season. Robins sometimes nest on human structures including eaves, ledges, barn rafters, and porch overhangs. If you wish to discourage nesting in specific locations, cover potential nest sites before breeding season begins in late April. Once eggs or young are present, federal law protects the nest and you must wait until fledglings depart before removing it. Fledglings sometimes appear injured or abandoned on the ground in late June and early July. This is normal fledging behavior, and parents continue feeding these young birds for several additional weeks. Leave healthy-appearing fledglings alone unless they face immediate danger from vehicles or predators. Window collisions kill many Wyoming robins during migration periods. Install screens, decals, or other visual markers to prevent birds from striking windows. In lower-elevation areas where robins occasionally overwinter, provide supplemental water and maintain berry-producing plants. Overall, robins are gentle, beneficial neighbors that enhance Wyoming's natural communities.
Birds That Resemble American Robins
Several Wyoming birds might cause confusion with American Robins. The Wood Thrush, a rare vagrant to eastern Wyoming from eastern forests, has a rusty back and spotted breast somewhat resembling young robins, but is smaller with a much shorter tail. The Varied Thrush, occasionally seen in western Wyoming forests, has orange-rusty undersides and a black breast band, but is smaller than a robin with different overall proportions. The Hermit Thrush, a spring migrant and occasional breeder in conifer forests, is considerably smaller than a robin with subtle spotting and no orange-red breast. The Rufous-sided Towhee, found in western Wyoming foothills, has rusty flanks and a spotted throat but is much smaller and more slender than a robin. The Scarlet Tanager, a rare spring migrant through Wyoming, displays bright red plumage on males but has very different body shape and size. Cedar Waxwings are sleek birds with yellow belly bands and black facial masks, nothing resembling robins. Young robins with spotted breasts cause the most identification challenges, sometimes being mistaken for thrushes. However, young robins are noticeably larger and have different proportions than Wyoming's thrush species. Comparing size, shape, and behavior helps distinguish robins confidently. Wyoming field guides provide detailed comparison illustrations. The most reliable identifying features are robin size, the brick-red breast of adults, and the spotted breast of juveniles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wyoming Robins
When do robins arrive in Wyoming? Spring arrival typically occurs in April at lower elevations, with higher mountain areas receiving robins by mid-May. The exact timing varies with weather, with late snows delaying high-elevation arrivals. Mild springs produce earlier arrivals than cold springs. What elevation do Wyoming robins prefer? Robins occur at all elevations in Wyoming during breeding season. Lower elevations and valleys support higher density populations, but robins breed in high mountain meadows at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet. High-elevation robins often arrive later and depart earlier than lower-elevation populations. Can robins survive Wyoming winters? Most robins depart by October, migrating to warmer regions. During mild winters with adequate open water and berry availability, small numbers occasionally remain in lower elevations and river valleys, but this is uncommon. Wyoming winters are typically too harsh for robins to survive without departing. Do robins have predators? Yes, American Robins face predation from various sources including raptors like Merlin and Cooper's Hawk, crows and jays, cats, and snakes that raid nests. Fledglings are particularly vulnerable. However, robin populations remain useful due to high productivity and short breeding season. Learn more about Wyoming birds at/wildlife.
Plan your trip
Best time to see american robin in Wyoming: June, July, May
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your american robin sighting in Wyoming
118,967 verified american robin records have been logged in Wyoming, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Wyoming
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Devils Tower National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fossil Butte National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Grand Teton National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Yellowstone National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Wyoming Hereford Ranch · 274 species recorded
- Hutton Lake NWR · 235 species recorded
- Laramie River Greenbelt Trail · 232 species recorded
- Wyoming Hereford Ranch Reservoir #1 · 229 species recorded
- Lions Park (Cheyenne) · 228 species recorded
- McManamen Park · 228 species recorded
Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).
Recent american robin sightings
- Yellowstone NP--West Thumb Geyser Basin · 2026-07-20 09:52 · 1 seen
- Devil's Tower NM--Belle Fourche River Campground · 2026-07-20 09:36 · 2 seen
- Devils Tower NM · 2026-07-20 08:10 · 6 seen
- Jenny Lake Loop Trail, Alta, Wyoming, US (43.759, -110.718) · 2026-07-20 07:48 · 3 seen
- National Elk Refuge--Shop Ponds · 2026-07-20 07:23 · 3 seen
More wildlife in Wyoming