March 28

We've seen American Robins in the parks as the first grass begins to peep out (finally!). These are year-round residents in the valleys of California, but they also do altitudinal migrations. As spring warms, these birds forage most commonly on the ground, where earthworms and insects can be found. They can be seen running about on the gound - looking from side to side. When they spy an earthworm, they attempt to spear the worm with their beak and then lean back to tug the worm out of the ground - a sight so iconic it almost seems like a cartoon. They are sociable birds, and they sing and sing, apparently both to attract females and to defend territory. Robins are surely among the most beloved of American songbirds. Catherine spotted another Robin recently: the Mega-Turdus Non-Migratorius Californicus. (The California Robin is the Turdus Migratorius). The Giant California Robin can be found on a rafter in Sacramento's brand new Crocker Art Museum wing. It is distinguished from the California Robin by its giant size (three feet tall) and its inability to migrate. Explanatory material near the Rob says that its size is puzzling. Some suggest that robins ate worms with the growth hormone rBST. Others suggest that the bird is not giant at all, but an optical illusion (these folks are called Giant Robin deniers). Because of the bird's size, it flies poorly and is unable to migrate, being restricted to the Sacramento Valley. Giantism of this sort is often found on islands and among other isolated habitats. (All credit to Gerald Heffernon, artist). So, what do you think? Are these sightings worth one additional species on our list, or two? Total to 3/28: 61