The North American Robin is the "Robin" all of us in North America know and love; as they are often the first bird to sing in the morning, and are visible throughout the day. However they have a dark side; they are known reservoirs for West Nile Virus. Rather than succumb quickly to the disease, as do Jays and Crows, these birds live longer while carrying the virus, hence spreading the virus to more and more mosquitos. Since Robins prefer to forage in a well manicured lawn, that puts them, and the mosquitos that bite them, in close proximity to us!