One of the most widely accepted signals that spring has arrived once again in Canada is the return of American Robins, usually in March, from their southern wintering grounds.

Despite its name, the American Robin is more closely related to thrushes than to European Robins; the bird was named by early English settlers for the resemblance of its colouration to the European Robin they left behind. The brick red of their breast is the most obvious similarity.

This species is the largest among the thrushes that are found in North America. They are generally about 25 cm (10 in.) long.