When the Robin Sleeps: A Perch, a Feather & the Moonlight

April… Under a silver-sifted sky

There’s a hush that settles over the garden just before midnight — the kind of hush you can almost hear. The wind has stopped whispering, the leaves have stilled their chatter, and even the frogs seem to be holding their breath. That’s when I catch a glimpse of him.

High in the hawthorn tree, where the branches cross like kind hands, a little robin perches — round, russet-chested, and absolutely still. His eyes are closed, tucked into a dream I will never know.

Yes, robins sleep. And no, they don’t snuggle under miniature quilts or lie on their backs like we do. But they do sleep in their own curious, clever way.

how do robins sleep drawing illustration inside a birding journal page with handwritten notes

During the day, robins are the bright-eyed heralds of gardens and hedgerows — flitting, feeding, serenading us with their bubbling warbles. But when dusk turns to dark, they find a safe perch — usually tucked among dense branches or evergreen leaves — and settle in.

They don’t exactly “sleep standing up,” as horses do, but they do perch while they rest. Their tiny feet are marvels of biological engineering, locking effortlessly around a twig or branch. It’s called a “flexor tendon mechanism,” which sounds awfully scientific for something so poetic — it just means they won’t topple over mid-dream…

do robins sleep standing up journal page with drawings and notes

Occasionally, you might spot one with its head turned backward, beak nestled into its own soft feathers. I like to imagine them sighing softly as they drift off, full from a day of worms and wonder.

But robins are watchful, even in sleep. They choose roosting spots with care — quiet, hidden, and often near a quick getaway route. Some brave urban robins even sleep near house lights or porches, their little forms silhouetted like brushstrokes on the evening canvas.

Last night, I stood at the window far longer than I meant to, watching my robin friend. A perch, a feather, and the moonlight — that’s all he needed. And in his stillness, I felt a quiet peace too. As if, just for a moment, the whole wild world had tucked itself in and whispered, “Goodnight.”

🌿 Nature leaves so many soft questions at our feet. Do you ever wonder what the birds dream about?

Sadie @ InsideMyNest

Hi 👋, I’m Sadie—wife to a super supportive husband (also my business partner) and busy mum of two young children (the biggest miracles of my life). Every illustration you see here has been hand-illustrated by me (with several hours spent on some of them… yes, think I’m still a bit old-school), and all images are original photos that I have taken myself or of my own handmade creations. But I’m no expert, or have had any specialised training—just someone who is learning and would like to share that learning journey with like-minded individuals who are on the same boat as me :)

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