ROBIN REDBREAST
For many of us our favourite winter and Christmas bird is the robin. Not only is it a
cheerful and friendly bird, it has also been planted in our culture that has flowered
over many years from various seeds. But there is a third angle to this songbird.
The reason why it is a Christmas bird is because the
robin has a red breast which originated in the Holy
Land at the time of the crucifixion. Jesus’ blood was
supposed to have stained the bird and coloured the
robin’s famous bib.
gardeners tilling the ground, rousing the birds’ prey
which lies in beds of soil. Over many years robins
have learned to anticipate the gardener’s work
and have successfully interpreted this as signs of
potential food.
In medieval times the bird was used as a Christian
name, such as Sir Robin in the tales of King Arthur
and the great Robin Hood amongst others.
Perhaps it is the gardener’s friend which was one
of the creatures that helped us dig up the phrase
‘an early bird catches the worm’. But the reason
why robins are friendly to homo-sapiens is not
because they admire our good looks, nor because
of our moral or ethical behaviour in the natural
world. This friendship is due to their need to catch
their necessary daily amounts of food! Surviving in
the harsh frosts and snow - and even in the lush
summer season is not as easy as it seems to be.
Other British medieval folklore grew around Robin
Redbreast. The stories signified that the bird was
or should be related to Jenny Wren, extending from
cousin to fiancé and even as a married couple.
Developing from many oral traditions, the poem of
Cock Robin was finally written down in the 1700s.
The Victorians furthered the tradition by associating
the robin with farms and snow which developed
into our modern day Christmas image. However for
historians these pictures have nothing in common
with the Passion which happened in a hot and arid
middle-eastern country, two thousand years ago.
The robin manages to upset very few people, which
in this day and age is an absolute marvel! Moreover
many of us are pleased when one turns up and
hangs around for a few minutes. These include
Relaxing in the garden, I have dreamt of perfectly
balanced rural idylls. However seemingly peaceful
they are, worms, insects and other prey species
lose their lives to these birds every day. Moreover,
songbirds such as robins are also killed by sparrow
hawks, other birds of prey as well as to land
carnivores such as cats. For those, this world is no
such dream.
Andy Mydellton, author and journalist, leads the South Buckinghamshire
registered charity, the Foundation for Endangered Species. Being
based in South Bucks, they are in a position to advise people in this
area about wildlife.
Contact Andy on 01895 520184
email [email protected]
www.ffesorg.uk
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