Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameTurdus iliacus FamilyChats and thrushes (Turdidae) OverviewThe redwing is most commonly encountered as a winter bird and is the UK's smallest true thrush. Its creamy strip above the eye and orange-red flank patches make it distinctive. They roam across the UK's countryside, feeding in fields and hedgerows, rarely visiting gardens, except in the coldest weather when snow covers the fields. Only a few pairs nest in the UK. Where to see themIn open countryside it likes hedges and orchards as well as open, grassy fields. Will come to parks and gardens. Often joins with flocks of fieldfares. When to see themMigrants arrive from September, with most in October and November. They leave again in March and April, although occasionally birds stay later. What they eatBerries and worms Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 2-17 pairs | 685,000 birds | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out more
Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |