But some encounters continue off and on for an hour or more and exceptionally over several days. In the event of a prolonged contest the fighting alternates with rapid pursuits, outbursts of song, threat displays and even bouts of foraging. The final loser wisely terminates a particularly aggressive encounter with a rapid retreat. Robins live as interesting a life as any garden bird. Research into their lives reveals that outside the breeding season both males and females sing to declare and defend their own individual territories.
Songs are identical.
Behaviour changes around Christmas-time. Robins begin exploring other robins' territories seeking a mate. By mid-January the majority will be paired and the females stop singing. Male robins continue singing, declaring what has become a joint future breeding territory. On occasions singing lasts into the night especially where street lights are prominent.