It is notorious for its ability to find, catch and eat earthworms. Contrary to popular wisdom, earthworms are found by sight rather than by sound. Diet also consists of beetles, grasshoppers, other insects, and many fruits including grapes, cherries, pokeberries, and mistletoe, and in southern states, the fruits of the Sabal Palm. Adults are gray or blackish above and brick red below. A white patch occurs in the vent area.
Females are generally duller with a more grayish head.
The head is darker in males, and more grayish in females. The bill is yellow. A partial white eye ring is also visible. The female robin builds a cup nest of mud, sticks and grasses in a protected area on a firm support. From 3 to 5 smooth, glossy blue eggs are incubated by the female and hatch in about two weeks.