Convervation status: Red Latin nameTurdus torquatus FamilyChats and thrushes (Turdidae) OverviewSlightly smaller and slimmer than a blackbird - male ring ouzels are particularly distinctive with their black plumage with a pale wing panel and striking white breast band. The ring ouzel is primarily a bird of the uplands, where it breeds mainly in steep sided valleys, crags and gullies, from near sea level in the far north of Scotland up to 1,200m in the Cairngorms.
Breeding begins in mid-April and continues through to mid-July, with two broods common, and nests are located on or close to the ground in vegetation (typically in heather), in a crevice, or rarely in a tree. The young are fed a diet consisting mainly of earthworms and beetles. Where to see themRing ouzels can be found in upland areas of Scotland, northern England, north west Wales and Dartmoor. When on spring and autumn migration they may be seen away from their breeding areas, often on the east and south coasts of the UK where they favour short grassy areas. When to see themRing ouzels arrive in March and April and leave again in September. What they eatInsects and berries Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 6,157-7,549 pairs | - | - |
* 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.
Sound: Christoph Bock, Xeno-canto | Print page  Ring ouzel  Ring ouzel - female Similar birdsHelp the Ring ouzelWe need to take urgent action to secure the future of this species. Become a member today and help us continue our vital conservation work. |