bi-sexual breasts.

[Chillum]

Do both male and female robins have red breasts?

[issy]

Yes

[Cetti]

Both male and female look identical, but there is a way to tell them apart if you can get close enough. The brown cap on the forehead forms a 'U' shape on the male, and a 'V' shape on the female. All juveniles are brown with spotted breasts.

[Chillum]

thanks to both of you, I saw a pair in the garden yesterday, and knowing their reputation for aggression and intollerance of other robins I thought they must be a mating pair, but was confused by the breasts. Not for the first time either.

[Cetti]

No, this time of year they will both be in their 'fighting red' outfits!

 A lot of Robins hop across the channel and Continental Robins have a much more orangey breast - not nearly as bright as our native ones.

[brachiopod]

So we have booze-cruising robins now, Cetti ?!

[Robinia]

Cetti you can't see the top of our robins heads at this time of year 'cos they're all wearing their tin helmets.  I think the males are the ones with pea-shooters!

[FP]

LOL Brachiopod. 

[Cetti]

Yes, the males are plucky little soldiers but then they are trained from the egg to bring back the booze without spilling a drop!!!

[issy]

Ignore the sarcastic comments - it was a good and sensible question

[Chillum]

Don't worry issy, I don't mind a bit of a frivolity. There was once, I even replied sarcastically myself. Mind you, I'm still not sure if they were a mating pair or a just a couple of pacifists.

[Cetti]

It is not sarcasm issy, and I hope Chillum would be the first to agree that the  bit of light hearted banter started after  two  full and serious answers were given - not a one word answer which I considered to be  extremely rude!

[Robinia]

Sarcasm??? Well said Cetti.

issy - if you watch the birds regularly & with a bit of imagination you'll see that they really are comical!!

[Chillum]

of course I agree, Cetti. If I was to be offended by a light-hearted remark, I wouldn't even be speaking to myself.

[Cetti]

Nice one Chillum :-D