What Do Baby Robins Eat? 8 Typical Foods

Last Updated on Jan 27 2023

If you’ve found a nest of baby robins and the mother doesn’t seem to be returning—what next? Should you wait for the mother to come back? Should you leave the chicks? Or could you possibly foster them a new home until they grow up? Well, there’s a lot to discuss here, and the most important thing you should know while caring for a baby robin is their diet. Even if you’re observing the family from a distance and want to know what makes them grow, we’ve got the information. We’ve put together eight typical foods that these adorable critters feed on; read more to see what they love! 

Before You Start

There are a few very crucial points that you need to know before fostering a baby robin. Firstly, you’ll want to check your state’s laws to see whether or not raising a wild animal is legal. Second, in most cases, you should leave wild animals alone for nature to continue its process. Lastly, if you have the okay to foster baby chicks, consider a few of these details, so you and the bird are safe.

Top 8 Foods Baby Robins Eat:

1. Earthworms

The most common food a mother robin gives to her young is earthworms—also known as night crawlers. They live in soil-rich grounds and provide a great deal of nutrition. If you are raising the birds yourself, night crawlers found in fishing supply shops and some convenience stores are a perfect choice. It’s best to feed them live; they can be stored in a refrigerator to last longer. Bonus tip: You can collect these worms in your backyard if you do a bit of digging. Check underneath rocks, logs, or gardens for the best results.

2. Mealworms

Similar to earthworms, mealworms are food that adult robins give to their babies in the wild, and you can’t go wrong with them. They are sold in pet supply stores for birds or reptiles. They provide loads of protein for the chicks to grow fast and are easy to administer.

Additionally, mealworms can be found under natural objects and debris during warmer months. One thing to note is that mealworms can transform into beetles after a certain time. They don’t need to be put in the fridge, but you should always keep them cool.

3. Beetles

Beetles are an everyday insect found in your backyard and are a plentiful source of food for baby robins to eat. We recommend using a small bug container and searching your garden, lawn, or backyard for leafy plants and trees. There are copious beetle species, but you should focus on feeding baby robins the smaller beetles so they can digest them easily. Otherwise, they may choke due to the size. Make sure your robin is old enough to consume them since newly born chicks won’t have the strength to swallow them. After two weeks, they will be safe to eat for sure.

4. Crickets

Collecting crickets shouldn’t be difficult because they inhabit several landscapes during warmer weather. This makes them a consistent source of food for your robins. Luckily, they are also available in most pet retail stores for lizards. You can get them in a bag, but it’s better to bring your own container, so they don’t suffocate after being left in the bag. If you don’t have one, you can poke a hole in the bag or open it up often. They are very cheap and come in different sizes. Small crickets are the best option since they will be a better fit for a baby bird. The only downside is that they jump around a lot. This makes it a chore to feed them directly since they will jump away if they have the chance.

5. Grasshoppers

An alternative to crickets is grasshoppers. We all know how jumpy these wild insects are, and they might be the most challenging to gather on our list. Because of this, they aren’t as good of an option compared to the others we’ve mentioned. Adult birds can hunt them much better than humans, and you might have to use a bug net to increase your chances of catching them. On the other hand, they are a great source of natural food. Just keep in mind that some hoppers are too large for baby robins. Also, in the wild, adult robins partially digest them and then feed them to their young. You might need to imitate this by splitting them into smaller pieces. Generally, grasshoppers are better suited for young robins that have grown substantially.

6. Caterpillars 

Another wild bug that baby robins love is the caterpillar. These soft, wormy insects are a perfect way to feed your birds as they can be digested easily and are found in their natural habitat. Like mealworms, all caterpillars transform into winged creatures. They become moths or butterflies, which are much more difficult to feed and are not recommended.

7. Berries and Fruits

Although we’ve mostly covered insects and carnivorous foods so far, berries are an exceptional source of food for baby robins. You can give your little birds several fruits or berries, such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas (small pieces), apples (small pieces), and many more. Compared to a meaty diet, these will still provide the adequate nutrition they need. Another huge benefit is that bugs are non-existent in the wintertime. Robins are known to live year-round in snow-covered environments, and fruit is a great alternative.

8. Waxworms

Last but not least is the waxworm, which is a common insect found at every Walmart or big retailer. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding them, and they are quite similar to mealworms. However, there are many of us out who would rather not deal with them since they resemble maggots. They aren’t a bad choice in terms of their nutritional value, though. They’re relatively cheap as well!

Conclusion

If you’re here because you’ve found a helpless baby robin on your front lawn, you must know which foods to give to your newly fostered bird. Naturally, these birds are omnivorous and need an adequate source of protein and vitamins to grow strong and healthy. After your robins have grown, it’s a good idea to contact a local animal conservation district to find a permanent home. These eight foods should reassure you that you’re feeding them what they need. Good luck with your baby robins!

Featured Image Credit: Jill Battaglia, Shutterstock