Robins are famous for tugging worms from the lawn, and that captures their diet well: they are insect- and fruit-eaters, not the seed-lovers most feeder birds are.
What robins eat through the year
In spring and summer, robins eat mainly earthworms, insects, grubs and other invertebrates, hunting them on lawns and in soil. In autumn and winter, when the ground hardens and insects vanish, they switch to fruit and berries from trees and shrubs. This flexible, seasonal diet is why robins can stay around much of the year.
Why robins skip most bird feeders
Because robins are not seed eaters, they usually ignore the sunflower and mixed seed that draw finches and cardinals. That is why you rarely see robins crowding a seed feeder — they are out looking for worms, bugs and berries instead.
How to attract robins
To bring robins in, skip the seed and offer what they actually eat: mealworms (live or dried), chopped fruit like apple and berries, and suet, ideally on a ground or platform feeder. A birdbath is a big draw, as robins love to drink and bathe, and berry-producing shrubs give them natural food and cover.