American Robin Turdus migratorius
Flight call description A high, descending, raspy "szeeert", a piercing, trilled "szeeed", and a "szeert-szeert", occasionally followed by a short series of low "brup" notes.
Fig.1. Maryland October 2, 1994 (MO).
"Szeeert" call from bird in flight.
Fig.2. New Jersey November 10, 2001 (MO).
"Szeeed" call from bird in flight.
Fig.3. New Jersey November 10, 2001 (MO).
"Szeert-szeert-brup" call from bird in flight.
Similar species Distinctive but may be confused with Gray-cheeked or Bicknell's Thrushes. See thrush-like calls.
Behavior Nocturnal migrant but engages in resumed migration. Flight calls given by perched and flying birds during the day and by nocturnal migrants. "Brup" call may be a mild alarm or warning call that is given regularly in flight. Nocturnal migrants heard regularly along the Atlantic Coast but seldom recorded inland. Presumably this is because greater numbers move along the coast.