Robins are familiar garden birds, but they live shorter lives than many people expect — mostly because of how dangerous their first year is.
The surprisingly short average
The average robin lives only about 2 years. That low figure is pulled down by very high mortality in the first year — most young robins do not survive it, falling to predators, weather, windows and other hazards. A robin's short average lifespan is really a story of a risky start.
Survivors live longer
A robin that makes it through that difficult first year has a good chance of living 5 to 6 years, and some reach further. The oldest known wild American robin lived to around 13–14 years, which shows the potential is there once a bird gets past the early dangers.
How to help robins live longer
You can give robins a better chance with food, water and shelter: offer mealworms and fruit, provide a birdbath and berry-bearing shrubs, avoid pesticides that poison the worms and insects they eat, and make windows more visible to prevent collisions. Cover from cats and other predators helps too.