What is it about our national bird, the robin, that captures the imagination? It has a friendly human name, although the original name was just redbreast or Ruddock. It’s become a symbol of Christmas and we love to see them in the garden.
The robin has many connections to folklore and has ecclesiastical links dating back to the 6th century AD. One explanation for the red breast originated with the idea that a bird tried to pull thorns out of the crown of thorns during the Passion of Christ. In reality it’s a warning…stay out of my territory. More on next page…
