Each week, CatchMark Community features a Wild Animal Fact from Montague native Seth Simon, the creator of the popular bite-sized wildlife series. Seth is known for his upbeat personality, love of animals, and knack for turning fascinating facts into fun, 60-second reads. His goal is to spark curiosity, encourage conservation awareness, and bring a little joy to everyone who follows along. We’re proud to share his work and add a touch of “wild” to your week.
As part of this weekly feature, Seth brings his signature enthusiasm straight to our readers with a fresh creature spotlight—packed with quick facts, habitat insights, and the unique quirks that make each animal extraordinary. His posts combine education and entertainment in a way that’s accessible for all ages, making wildlife learning both fun and memorable. Enjoy this week’s feature below!
Hey 
Wild Fact Fans, Seth here with the new Friday Feature creature. Don’t forget to please like 
, share and comment 
questions 
down below 
If you have any on this weeks animal ^^ or any creature you’d like me to do a post on in the future
With today’s post; this stands as a sign to let you all know that tomorrow me and my fam will be returning home 
from our nice relaxing vacation time down here in the Florida Keys. It was a pretty chillaxed time and glad we had this time together
And just like us; this week’s feature creature is also an avian migrator with some vacationing down south like we did & returns up north with the spring 
thaw. A common favorite sight in the backyards, gardens, neighborhoods, parks and woodland areas; this cute and pretty bird spends the spring and summer days filling the air with their sweet cheerful songs, fluttering about the air looking for food , hopping along the ground looking for squirmy worms 
, and raising next generation of adorable chicks 
that hatch from their small famously blue eggs 
all before fall arrives ; when some begin their long journey back to the south once again. These easily recognized birds are a top icon among urban wildlife
This weeks feature Creature is the American Robin 
1. Measuring in at 10 inches long with a foot to 16 inch wingspan, & weighing in at 2.7 to 3 ounces (around the same as 3 double A Batteries 
); the American Robin is one of the most recognizable birds in North America 
& is the National Bird of Michigan, Connecticut & Wisconsin. They can also be found down in Mexico 
& Central America.
2. Along with being slightly larger & heavier; Male American Robins are more brighter rusty red in color compared to duller brown females. Males are also more loud with their songs 
. Chicks start off cinnamon brown in colors with spots on their chests. Sometimes Robins can be white (both albino & Leucistic) in color; with around 8% ever being born this way!
3. American Robins are part of the Thrush family & Are the Largest North American Species! They’re actually more related to Bluebirds than their European namesakes that European settlers thought of when they saw the american robins for the first time
4. Along with the common phrase, the “Early Bird” around them; American Robins also are seen as a sign of good luck 
in many ways. From being signs of good news, protection from lightning 
& even a good marriage 
!
5. American robins are omnivores ; with 40% of their diet being earthworms as a top fav. They also eat plenty of other insects such as beetles 
, caterpillars 
, grasshoppers 
, ants 
, spiders 
, and snails 
.
6. When hunting for worms , they often hunt in the morning & evenings; using their keen eyesight 
to spot them & use a clever trick to lure them out when they hop along the ground . By pecking the ground, they imitate the vibrations of a digging mole which causes the worms to flee to the surface; only to be nabbed by a robin! They can catch & eat up to 14 worms a day!
7. Alongside bugs 
; they also plenty of fruit 
& berries; especially crabapples, holly, cedar, hawthorn, blueberries 
, mulberries, and even poison ivy berries! Sometimes they eat lots of fermented fruits & actually get a lil tipsy 
! They also sometimes might go after small lizards 
& some speculate even small snakes 
& small fish 
!
8. Flying Speeds of 15 to 36 mph and aerial agility alongside good eyesight are their main defenses against predators such as snakes , birds of prey like hawks, owls 
& falcons, cats 
(both domestic & Bob), foxes 
, coyotes , martens, raccoons 
, & other small mammals. Hatchlings & eggs are also targeted by crows 
, ravens , blue jays & Squirrels 
. While they can live to be 14 to 19 years old; most are lucky to make it to 6 years old!
9. Sometimes robins will form groups to fight back against predators! Mobbing the enemy, dodging in the air till the predator retreats & making a high p pitched “seeee” sound to alert 
the area. They do this mobbing especially if they’re nesting in the same area.
10. During the spring 
& summer; around before & after sunrise, males cheery chirp their songs to attract females. In city 
areas with light pollution ; some males sing at night 
!
11. American robins are one of the first birds to nest & lay eggs in the spring. Females lay around 3 to 5 bright blue eggs at a time in a cup shaped nest 
made of mud, sticks , feathers 
& dry grass up in trees 
or in shrubs . They can have up to 3 clutches in a single year; that hatch in 2 weeks & learn to fly after 2 weeks again
12. Scientists believe The special shade their eggs are is a natural protection against harmful UV rays from the sun 
!
13. When they’re old & independent enough to fly & look for their own food; males join up with other males while Females go to roost alone .
14. During the time as they fledge & grow; both parents raise the chicks; taking trips to look for food while keeping them warm. They’re also good at spotting and tossing out the eggs of Brown headed Cowbird; who are nest parasites & often lay their eggs in other birds nests to raise.
15. American robins often migrate around 3,000 miles a year in large groups of hundreds to thousands and roost together to keep safe & warm when resting. While most migrate, some may actually try to stay around during the winter 
. They also gather at night to rest when not migrating for safety too; but are less social during this time qs well.
16. When spring rolls back around, males often head north first to get a head start to prepare for the females by claiming territories for them & battle males to protect them. Females will often return to the same nest after migrating every year despite mating with a different mate!
17. While they’re a popular sight for people as a top seed dispersal species for many kinds of fruits & plants 
; they can be a small problem as they can transmit the west nile virus 
from mosquitoes 
. They can survive this virus longer than other birds & its best to avoid touching these birds. Scientists 
are working on a vaccine 
to help the birds
Next weeks feature creature hint 
: this sleek, slender & colorful lizard are good climbers 
, fast swimmers & fiercely territorial which leads to a mythical name 
Wild Animal Facts: Danube Crested Newt
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