5 Cute, Quirky & Wacky Pets

Animals are wonderful in so many ways. They impart joy not simply through how cute they look, but also from the wonderment and joy they get from the little things. ❤

1. These Cheezits are so precious, this squirrel is ensuring nobody ever finds them.

 

2. This otter who is in love with bath time.

 

3. This husky who got as bossy as a cat: “Bathe me, human. I will not comply.”

 

4. This Cockatoo enjoying Gangnam Style… immensely.

 

5. Cats who aren’t shy about showing their humans they love them.

20 Facts About Robins

In addition to being a popular garden visitor, the Robin is most well-known for its symbolism, being one of the most popular Christmas images since the nineteenth century, and also being considered by many as a spiritual visitor. This list hopes to illuminate the robin’s lifestyle and habits, showing that it’s not simply just a beautiful symbol, but a most wonderful and interesting species.

1. Each continent has its own robins. However, only the Japanese and Ryukyu robins are related.
2. The European robin used to be considered a member of the thrush family, although recently it has been reclassified as an Old World Flycatcher.
3. The European robin can be found across Eurasia, from as far east as Sibera, south to Algeria, west to the Azores and Madiera, and as south as the Caucasus.
4. Robins in Britain and Ireland are mainly resident, although some (mainly females) migrate further south for the winter.
5. The robin can sense the earth’s magnetic field, which is useful in navigation. It is believed that this is achieved by light entering the bird’s eye.
6. Robins are omnivorous, eating anything from insects to fruit. Its favourite bird-table offerings are mealworms, although it will also eat seeds and peanuts. Robins can often be spotted foraging for worms on the ground.
7. Both male and female robins hold their own territories in winter, so they both sing similar winter songs.
8. Despite being easily tamed by humans, robins are very territorial. Males are noted for their aggression, and will attack other males who are found in their territory. In some areas, territorial defence accounts for up to ten per cent of robin mortality.Male Robin defending his territory.
9. Robins do not like hole nest boxes (those favoured by the Tit family), but will nest in open-fronted boxes.
10. When he has found a mate, the male robin will court the female (strengthening their bond) by bringing her food, such as worms and caterpillars. This can be mistaken by the observer as a parent feeding its young, as the female begs noisily while quivering her wings.                   Male and Female Robin courting, the male just having fed her.
11. Most robin pairs will attempt to raise three broods per year.
12. Their nest is comprised of fine grass, hair and feathers for lining.
13. The female incubates the eggs for two weeks, with the male feeding her.
14. Clutches are composed of five or six eggs.
15. Juvenile robins have brown speckled feathers rather than the traditional red breast and grey belly, which they acquire after their first moult at about two months’ old. This is partly a safety measure against predation from other robins.

     

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16. The average life expectancy of a robin is 1.1 years, although this is because of their high mortality rate in their first year. It can expect to live longer if it makes it through a year.
17. Individual robins have unique breast patterns, making it possible to recognise them.
18. If you hear a bird singing around dusk, or even afterwards, it is most likely a robin. They are often the last birds to finish singing for the night, and are also the first to sing in the morning.
19. The American Robin is the official state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin.
20. The European Robin is the national bird of great Britain.