Is this Britain's chubbiest Robin? Red breasted bird looks ready for Christmas perched on set of fairy lights

The birds stock up on food in preparation for the winter months
Robins also plump up feathers to keep warm air in making them look fat

PUBLISHED: 14:13, 19 December 2012 | UPDATED: 07:59, 20 December 2012

At this time of year it is usually the goose or turkey which is getting fat in preparation for the big day.

But this chubby little robin looks almost plump enough to take their place on the Christmas dinner table.

The bird's bulging belly gives the impression it may have been indulging too much in the Yuletide spirit and eaten one too many mince-pies.

The rotund robin was captured on camera by Martin Hicks who spotted the portly bird perched on his Christmas lights in his front garden.

The chubby Robin's bulging belly gives the impression it may have been indulging too much in the Yuletide spirit and eaten one too many mince pies already

Robins feed themselves up for the winter and they also plump up their feathers to keep warm air in which also gives them the appearance that they are carrying extra weight.

Mr Hicks, 48, from Crawley, West Sussex, said: 'I’ve never seen such a fat-looking robin.

'I was sitting in my living room looking out of the window when I noticed the robin was having a look at some nuts I had left out on our bush.

'I got my camera and came back and it was just sitting there on the Christmas lights staring at me.
'It was about eight feet away and wasn’t scared or shy at all.

'He was very plump and looked like he had been indulging in the Christmas spirit with too many mince pies.

'After a couple of minutes he just hopped off and flew away.'

A spokesman for the RSPB said: 'If you get a harsh winter small birds like robins are vulnerable because their food supply dries up.

Robins often appear plumper during the winter months because they feed themselves up for the cold weather

They also plump up their feathers to keep warm air in which also gives them the appearance that they are carrying extra weight

'One way of getting through it is for them to consume as much high-calorie food as possible at this time of year.

'When they are cold they also plump up the top layers of their feathers and that keeps the warm air close to their body. It’s a bit like adding another tog to your duvet.'

Robins are one of the tamest bird species in Britain. One reason for this is they are used to standing very close to gardeners digging over soil so they can pick up worms afterwards.

Robins are associated with Christmas because in Victorian times when the custom of giving Christmas cards first started, the postmen wore red tunics and were nicknamed robins.

There is also the belief that a robin bird took the thorns of the crown that Jesus wore.

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Thursday, 20 December 2012

Is this Britain's chubbiest Robin? Red breasted bird looks ready for Christmas

Is this Britain's chubbiest Robin? Red breasted bird looks ready for Christmas perched on set of fairy lights