A robin is a small bird, often with a red or orange chest, commonly seen in gardens and associated with the arrival of spring. The exact appearance of a robin varies between Europe and North America.
A pet form of the name *Robert* used as a nickname for the bird, likely because of its friendly, familiar presence. The European robin got the name first; early settlers in America reused it for a different red-breasted bird.
The robin is basically named like a friend—“little Robert”—showing how attached people felt to this bird. When Europeans reached America, they met a totally different bird with a red chest and just reused the name, which is why American and European robins aren’t the same species.
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