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From the Eastern Towhee to the Red-breasted, we identify birds that look like robins, to tell the difference between them.

American Robin

American Robin Bird

A birds that look like robins

Look at that bird! It has a gray back and reddish-orange patches, so it must be an american birds that look like robins but aren’t or, wait, right? Robins are a sign of spring, but not all birds with red, white and gray patches are robins. Here are seven types of birds that look like robins. Commonly blue egg-laying is a distraction for backyard lovers.

varied thrush birds that look like robins but aren't

Varied Thrush bird

Varied Thrush

Robins are part of the same family as the spotted thrush, so it’s easy to see why someone would confuse them, and at first they have similar colored reddish breasts and gray backs. Basically, varied thrush birds that look like robins but aren’t. Complicating matters further is the fact that they are known to ride in flocks of robins, but their behavior is different. The thrush tends to spend time at the very top of the tree, while the robin is more comfortable in the open. The color of the thrush is mostly orange with a black bar between the eyes.

A cheerful robin picture will help you welcome spring.

Orchard Oriole Bird different from robins

Orchard Oriole

Orchard Oriole

Bird that looks like a robin but no red breast. Orchard Oriole are an interesting sight to watch in early summer. But with its dark colored head and red breast, it is definitely one of the robin-looking birds. There is one slight difference between a garden oriole look alike and an American robin. The oriole is the smallest of the species and has a distinct beak color. One way to tell for sure is if the bird visits a fruit feeder, but it’s almost certainly an oriole.

Do you want to see more Robin? Here’s how to attract robins to your yard year-round.

Spotted Towhee Bird is not robin bird

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee Bird

Both the Eastern towhee and the Spotted towhee look similar to the robin, but there are some key differences. If you can see the bird’s eyes well, check to see if they are red. Red eyes are a distinguishing characteristic of tauhids that robins do not have. If not, check the bird’s white breast and dark upperparts.

Here is the difference between American and European Robins

Black-Headed Grosbeak looks same as robin bird

Black-Headed Grosbeak

Black-Headed Grosbeak

While telling a black-headed grosbeak from a robin can be a tricky feat, in the overall tone of their song, they have a lot in common. If you live in the East or Midwest, chances are you’ve seen a robin. Black-headed grosbeaks live mostly in the West. If you live in the American West, look for a reddish throat band, white wing spots and overall black upperparts to distinguish grosbeaks from robins.

Do robins migrate and fly south in winter?

Hermit Thrush Not Robin BIrd

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush

The thrush family includes the American robin. A group of birds known for their mates’ songs. The hermit thrush lacks the reddish coloration of the robin but the face and eye rings look similar. Its breast spots might make you think you’re looking at a baby robin. Learn how to spot a thrush.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch Not Look Like Robin

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

The root of the confusion here probably lies in the bird’s name. Because this cute nuthatch has a red breast, it looks a bit like an American robin. But the similarities don’t stop there, it has gray tops. There are many ways to tell them apart. Nuthatches are generally smaller than robins.

American Redstart Not Look Like Robin

American Redstart

American Redstart

They are another black-headed red-feathered bird. What’s a bird to do? One way to tell a redstart from a male American robin is to look for the redstart’s distinctive behavior. Extruding its tail. As a warbler it is smaller than a robin and has notable differences with its white breast and orange stripes.

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