The male “Newfoundland robins” (Turdus migratorius nigrideus) do have the color of their dark heads extending down their backs, which helps pick them out from our summer birds with grayer backs.

We promise: It’s not personal. Each year, as the warm weather rolls around, migratory birds like robins (Turdus migratorius) and cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) stake out their territories in ...