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What the sources say

European RobinErithacus rubecula

Every figure, record and mechanism on the European Robin profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 50 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Xu et al. 2021

Xu et al. (2021). Magnetic sensitivity of cryptochrome 4 from a migratory songbird. Nature.

The page saysThe European robin's eyes may double as an internal compass
The source saysThe mechanism of this compass has been suggested to rely on the quantum spin dynamics of photoinduced radical pairs in cryptochrome flavoproteins located in the retinas of the birdsNote: "double" is a verb here; "may" carries the source's "has been suggested".
The page saysrobin CRY4 turned out to be more magnetically sensitive than the same protein from two non-migratory birds, the chicken and the pigeon
The source saysis magnetically sensitive in vitro, and more so than CRY4 from two non-migratory bird species, chicken (Gallus gallus) and pigeon (Columba livia)
The page saysMutating specific sites on the protein revealed the roles of four successive light-triggered "radical pairs" in producing that magnetic response
The source saysSite-specific mutations of ErCRY4 reveal the roles of four successive flavin-tryptophan radical pairs in generating magnetic field effects
The page saysA light-sensitive retinal protein called cryptochrome 4 that may let the robin sense Earth's magnetic field through quantum chemistry, a mechanism researchers are still working to confirm
The source saysThe mechanism of this compass has been suggested to rely on the quantum spin dynamics of photoinduced radical pairs in cryptochrome flavoproteins located in the retinas of the birds 4-7 . Here we show that the photochemistry of cryptochrome 4 (CRY4) from the night-migratory European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is magnetically sensitive in vitro

Source
02

Günther et al. 2018

Günther et al. (2018). Double-Cone Localization and Seasonal Expression Pattern Suggest a Role in Magnetoreception for European Robin Cryptochrome 4. Current Biology.

The page saysA light-sensitive protein called cryptochrome 4 (CRY4) sits in the robin's retina
The source sayswe sequenced night-migratory European robin (Erithacus rubecula) Cry4 from the retina
The page saysThe protein sits in the outer segments of the robin's double cones and long-wavelength single cones
The source saysCry4 protein is specifically expressed in the outer segments of the double cones and long-wavelength single cones in European robins and chickens.
The page saysrobin retinas make more of its mRNA during the spring and autumn migratory seasons, something not seen in chickens
The source saysduring the spring and autumn migratory seasons relative to the non-migratory seasons in European robins and domestic chickens (Gallus gallus), the Cry4 mRNA expression level in European robin retinae, but not in chicken retinae, is significantly higher during the migratory season compared to the non-migratory seasons
The page saysIn vertebrates, cryptochromes are the only proteins known to form radical pairs when struck by light, so they are currently the only candidates for a light-dependent magnetic sense
The source saysIn vertebrates, cryptochromes are the only class of proteins that form radical pairs upon photo-excitation. Therefore, they are currently the only candidate proteins for light-dependent magnetoreception.

Source
03

Nießner et al. 2011

Nießner et al. (2011). Avian Ultraviolet/Violet Cones Identified as Probable Magnetoreceptors. PLoS ONE.

The page saysRobins also carry cryptochrome 1a, found only in the violet- and ultraviolet-sensitive cones that are spread across the whole retina, where electron microscopy shows it in ordered bands along the membrane discs of each cone's outer segment
The source saysIn both species, Cry1a is present exclusively in the ultraviolet/violet (UV/V) cones that are distributed across the entire retina. Electron microscopy shows Cry1a in ordered bands along the membrane discs of the outer segment
The page saysThe authors said that arrangement fulfils essential requirements of the radical-pair model
The source saysWe provide first structural evidence that Cry1a occurs within a sensory structure arranged in a way that fulfils essential requirements of the Radical-Pair-Model.
The page sayscalled these cones "probable magnetoreceptors"
The source saysidentifying the UV/V-cones as probable magnetoreceptors
The page saysDomestic chickens, which also use a magnetic compass
The source saysEuropean robins, Erithacus rubecula , and domestic chickens, Gallus gallus , two species that have been shown to use the magnetic field for compass orientation
The page sayscarry the protein in the same cone type
The source saysCry1a was found only in UV/V cones, and all these cones contained Cry1a in chickens as well as in robins.
The page saystags: super-navigator
The source saysEuropean robins, Erithacus rubecula , and domestic chickens, Gallus gallus , two species that have been shown to use the magnetic field for compass orientationNote: settle #889; moved from the storm petrel, whose page gives smell, not a magnetic sense

Source
04

Engels et al. 2014

Engels et al. (2014). Anthropogenic electromagnetic noise disrupts magnetic compass orientation in a migratory bird. Nature.

The page saysRobins tested inside unscreened wooden huts on the University of Oldenburg campus in Germany could not orient using their magnetic compass
The source saysWhen European robins, Erithacus rubecula, were exposed to the background electromagnetic noise present in unscreened wooden huts at the University of Oldenburg campus, they could not orient using their magnetic compass.
The page saysGrounded, aluminum-screened huts, which cut electromagnetic noise between 50 kHz and 5 MHz about a hundredfold, brought their magnetic orientation back
The source saysTheir magnetic orientation capabilities reappeared in electrically grounded, aluminium-screened huts, which attenuated electromagnetic noise in the frequency range from 50 kHz to 5 MHz by approximately two orders of magnitude.Note: "about a hundredfold" is "approximately two orders of magnitude".
The page saysdeliberately generating broadband noise inside the screened huts took it away again
The source sayswhen broadband electromagnetic noise was deliberately generated inside the screened and grounded huts, the birds again lost their magnetic orientation capabilities.
The page saysthe magnetic part of the noise that stopped robins orienting was a thousand times weaker than the lower exposure limits in the World Health Organization guidelines of the time
The source saysthe magnetic component of this electromagnetic noise is a thousand times weaker than the lower exposure limits adopted in current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelinesNote: Nature's editor's summary on the publisher page; "current" as of 2014, so "of the time".
The page saysits disruptive effect was not confined to a narrow frequency band
The source saysThe disruptive effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is not confined to a narrow frequency band
The page saysRobins tested far from sources of electromagnetic noise needed no screening to orient with their magnetic compass
The source saysbirds tested far from sources of electromagnetic noise required no screening to orient with their magnetic compass

Source
05

Schwabl & Kriner 1991

Schwabl & Kriner (1991). Territorial aggression and song of male European robins (Erithacus rubecula) in autumn and spring: Effects of antiandrogen treatment. Hormones and Behavior.

The page saysMale robins guarding a winter feeding territory carry low testosterone, while males defending a spring breeding territory carry higher levels, and song is part of the defense in both seasons
The source saysMale robins aggressively defending a feeding territory in winter have low levels of testosterone, while males defending a breeding territory in spring have elevated levels of testosterone. Song is an integrated part of territorial defense during both phases.
The page saysWhen a study blocked testosterone in male robins with the anti-androgen flutamide, the results suggested that aggressive defense of a breeding territory is facilitated by the hormone while winter defense does not need it, and singing rate was not significantly reduced in either season
The source saysResults suggest that, similar to species in which territoriality is restricted to the reproductive phase, aggressive defense of a breeding territory by male robins is facilitated by androgens. Territorial defense during the nonbreeding season, however, does not require androgenic activity. Singing frequency, on the other hand, was not significantly reduced during either phase by flutamide application.
The page saysThe authors suggest the year-round "keep out" song is independent of testosterone
The source sayswe suggest that the incorporation of sexual signals into male song during breeding depends on testosterone, but that the year-round production of territorial "keep out" signals is independent of testosterone
The page saysResearchers gave the anti-androgen flutamide to free-living and to captive male robins, during both the winter feeding season and the spring breeding season
The source saysMale robins aggressively defending a feeding territory in winter have low levels of testosterone, while males defending a breeding territory in spring have elevated levels of testosterone. Song is an integrated part of territorial defense during both phases. We investigated whether testosterone is involved in the expression of these behaviors by treating free-living and captive male robins during both phases with the antiandrogen flutamide.
The page saysa bird that sings year-round to hold its territory
The source saysthe year-round production of territorial "keep out" signals is independent of testosteroneNote: settle #889 (vibe.reason)

Source
06

Fuller, Warren & Gaston 2007

Fuller, Warren & Gaston (2007). Daytime noise predicts nocturnal singing in urban robins. Biology Letters.

The page saysUrban robins sing at night in areas that are noisy during the day, which reduces acoustic interference, and light pollution, often blamed for night singing in city birds, has a much weaker effect than daytime noise
The source saysurban European robins Erithacus rubecula, highly territorial birds reliant on vocal communication, reduce acoustic interference by singing during the night in areas that are noisy during the day. The effect of ambient light pollution, to which nocturnal singing in urban birds is frequently attributed, is much weaker than that of daytime noise.
The page saysin cities noisy by day moves its song into the night
The source saysreduce acoustic interference by singing during the night in areas that are noisy during the dayNote: settle #889 (vibe.reason)

Source
07

De La Hera et al. 2017

De La Hera et al. (2017). Habitat segregation by breeding origin in the declining populations of European Robins wintering in southern Iberia. Ibis.

The page saysone isotope-tracking study in southern Spain
The source saysWe used hydrogen isotopic signatures of feathers ( δD f ) to shed light on the habitat distribution of seasonally sympatric European Robin Erithacus rubecula populations wintering in Campo de GibraltarNote: Campo de Gibraltar is in southern Spain (Cádiz province); the paper's title says southern Iberia.
The page saysResident robins there were not outcompeted when migrants arrived, and stayed in the woodlands where they breed, while migrants that had bred closer by were more likely to settle in woodland than migrants from farther away
The source sayssedentary Robins were not outcompeted upon the arrival of migrants and remained in the woodlands where they reproduce ... migratory Robins with a closer breeding origin (higher δD f values) had a higher probability of occupying woodlands than did migrants coming from further away
The page saysThe authors suggest that where each bird had bred matters more to its winter address than its sex, age or body size
The source saysour results suggest that the role of breeding origin in shaping the distribution of Robins during winter in Campo de Gibraltar is more relevant than the effects of sex, age or body size

Source
08

Collar 2020

Collar (2020). European Robin (Erithacus rubecula). Birds of the World.

The page saysThe species ranges from western Europe, northwestern Morocco and the Atlantic islands east to the Urals, southwestern Siberia and northern Iran
The source saysWestern Europe, northwestern Morocco, Azores, Madeira and western Canary Islands. ... Urals and southwestern Siberia ... Southeastern Azerbaijan and northern IranNote: Subspecies distributions: nominate rubecula, tataricus, hyrcanus. "Atlantic islands" = Azores, Madeira and the Canaries.
The page sayswhile robins from the Urals and southwestern Siberia winter in southwestern Asia
The source saysUrals and southwestern Siberia; non-breeding southwestern Asia.
The page saysfrom western Europe and northwestern Morocco east to the Urals, southwestern Siberia and northern Iran
The source saysWestern Europe, northwestern Morocco, Azores, Madeira and western Canary Islands. ... Urals and southwestern Siberia ... Southeastern Azerbaijan and northern Iran
The page saysthe easternmost populations winter in southwestern Asia and the Middle East
The source saysUrals and southwestern Siberia; non-breeding southwestern Asia. ... Southeastern Azerbaijan and northern Iran; non-breeding also Middle East.

Source
09

Natural History Museum

Robin (Erithacus rubecula). Natural History Museum.

The page saysRobins hold territory as a pair in summer and individually in winter, and both sexes defend it with surprising ferocity
The source saysBoth male and female robins hold territories, as a pair in summer and as individuals in winter. They will defend these with surprising ferocity
The page saysA robin measures about 14 cm long, with a 20 to 22 cm wingspan and a body weight of roughly 14 to 21 g
The source saysLength: 14cm Wingspan: 20-22cm Weight: 14-21g
The page sayson a cold night it can use up to a tenth of its body weight staying warm
The source saysDuring cold nights robins use up to 10% of their body weight to stay warm.
The page saysIts diet is seeds, fruit, insects, worms and other invertebrates; it visits garden feeders for scraps and mealworms, and often follows gardeners to take freshly dug-up worms
The source saysA robin's diet consists of seeds, fruits, insects, worms and other invertebrates. It will also visit garden bird tables and feeders to feed on scraps and mealworms ... robins often follow gardeners around to take advantage of freshly dug-up worms
The page saysBritish robins can be seen in gardens and hedgerows all year round
The source saysRobins can be seen all year round in gardens, parks and hedgerows, in both the countryside and urban areas.
The page saysGardener's shadow
The source saysrobins often follow gardeners around to take advantage of freshly dug-up wormsNote: An epithet for a habit the source calls frequent ("often"); the body carries the hedge.
The page saysferociously territorial songster
The source saysThey will defend these with surprising ferocity, driving off intruders and making their presence known by singing loudly from conspicuous perches.
The page saysthe bird that became the Victorian icon of Christmas
The source saysThe robin became the iconic bird of Christmas in the Victorian era
The page saysWoodland, farmland, hedgerows, gardens and parks
The source saysRobins are widespread throughout the UK, inhabiting farmland and woodland, as well as gardens and parks in towns and cities.Note: Hedgerows from the same page: "Robins can be seen all year round in gardens, parks and hedgerows".
The page saysSeeds, fruit, insects, worms and other invertebrates, plus scraps and mealworms from garden feeders
The source saysA robin's diet consists of seeds, fruits, insects, worms and other invertebrates. It will also visit garden bird tables and feeders to feed on scraps and mealworms.
The page saysweightKg: 0.018
The source saysWeight: 14-21gNote: settle #889; midpoint 17.5 g

Source
10

BTO BirdFacts

Robin. BTO BirdFacts.

The page saysin winter birds from northern and eastern Europe arrive to help swell their numbers
The source saysThe Robin is both a resident and also a migrant visitor to Britain during the winter months, when birds from northern and eastern Europe help to swell numbers.
The page saysTypical life expectancy for a robin that reaches breeding age is two years
The source saysTypical life expectancy of bird reaching breeding age 2 years with breeding typically at 1 year
The page saysThe oldest ringed robin in the BTO's records reached 8 years, 4 months and 30 days, a record set in 1977
The source saysMaximum age from a ringed bird 8 years, 4 months, 30 days (set in 1977)Note: "oldest ringed robin" is BTO's "maximum age from a ringed bird", scoped to the BTO's own records.

Source
11

Fransson et al. 2010

Fransson et al. (2010). EURING list of longevity records for European birds.

The page saysEURING's Europe-wide list of ringing records holds a robin ringed in the Czech Republic that was found dead more than 19 years and 4 months later
The source saysRobin | Erithacus rubecula | Czech Republic | Z 364896 | >19yrs 4mths | Found dead (fresh)Note: Current EURING list read in Chrome and hand-cached (#944): the record AnAge gave as 19.3 years still stands. BTO's own oldest is 8y 4m; EURING spans all European schemes.

Source
12

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021

Erithacus rubecula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22709675A166350059.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: IUCN status quoted from GBIF's copy of the Red List (iucnredlist.org refuses scripts); the reference cites the assessment DOI, per docs/fact-check.md.

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.