Europa. Aus. Pit-roig

EUROPE 2019. Birds. Robin

The autumn forests of Andorra welcome hikers and walkers who explore their lush depths with the shrill but melodious song of the European Robin (Erithacus Rubecula). It has striking orange plumage on its breast and face, a grey belly and brown upperparts. Its small size, short neck and large dark eyes contribute to its unmistakable rounded silhouette.

Its beak is short and narrow, allowing it to dig in earth and undergrowth in search of insects, spiders and worms – its standard diet. In winter, it supplements its diet with berries and nuts.

Robins prefer damp woodland with floors covered with undergrowth, moss or dead leaves, although they also like gardens and parks where there are weeds.

Their breeding season comes after winter, and they can lay up to two clutches of eggs a year, with five or six eggs in each. The females incubate their eggs around fourteen days, during which time the male brings them food.

They nest from April to August in hollows in trees and walls, constructing a small cushiony base of moss, dead leaves, grass and feathers.

They are highly territorial, defending their territory by singing and flashing their brightly coloured plumage.

However, they can be friendly to humans, accompanying farmers or gardeners digging in the earth, and visiting walkers as they take a rest.

They are a familiar Christmas motif in the English-speaking world, which probably originates with the red jackets worn by postmen in the Victorian era when Christmas cards first became popular.

The stamp is an illustration by the artist Ricardo Martinez, showing a close-up of a robin’s head and another bird flying to perch in a tree.