School Birds: American Robin

Robin keeps warm amid bare branches in the Greece Athena High School courtyard (March 21, 2013).

Despite spring officially having sprung earlier in the morning, Thursday afternoon I caught this cold American Robin puffing out his feathers on an as-yet-barren tree in our school's courtyard. Though incredibly common in local neighborhoods (including my own about 15 minutes east in the city), I have rarely seen them in the courtyard. Generally, the most interesting aviary activity is the occasional passing tree swarms of sparrows, or the odd resting goose. The robin's familiar "cheerily-cheerup" is comforting and a welcome reminder of warmer (and, hopefully, less snowy) days to come.

 

In the Greece Athena High School courtyard (March 21, 2013).

The view to the right outside my second story classroom window (March 21, 2013).