Get to know the UK’s thrushes, including the Fieldfares and Redwings that flock here for the winter.
Redwings and Fieldfares are both species of thrush and in this feature, we take a look at these and other thrushes that are found in the UK. Read on to find out more about this fascinating family of birds and for ID tips.
You’re strolling along on a crisp winter day, your breath condensing in wispy clouds on the cool air. You notice a rustling in the leaf-litter by the path side. Glancing down, your eyes are met with the sideways stare of a bird taking a momentary break from its search, making sure you’re not a threat. Concluding that you are of no great concern, the bird goes back to tossing leaves in its quest for worms and other tasty creatures it may find nestling beneath the carpet of mulch. Yes, it’s a Blackbird. For most UK residents, these cheerful garden birds are the most familiar of the thrush family, but there are more to meet!
Blackbirds are very familiar birds indeed. As well as being widespread residents of the wider countryside, they have also figured out how to thrive alongside humans. In even the densest of urban habitats their fabulously melodic song drifts across the rooftops providing a lovely, if sadly too often ignored and unnoticed, soundtrack to our busy world. This bold and handsome bird is a common garden visitor, denizen of the local park, bird of hedgerow and woodland, coastal scrub and farmland. It is only absent from the highest peaks, where it is often replaced by the striking Ring Ouzel – an uncommon summer visitor, also known historically as the ‘mountain blackbird’.
Of course, the Blackbird’s name is something of a misnomer. As most of you will know, not all Blackbirds are black. The females and juveniles are a lovely deep brown, often with dark streaks and spots on their throat and breast. The all-dark male sports a bright yellow bill and is complemented by a striking yellow eye-ring.
One of our commonest birds, Blackbirds can be seen all year-round. Most are resident, though some do move south in the winter. However, the UK population increases significantly each autumn as huge numbers from northern Europe join ‘our’ birds, to spend the relatively milder winter months here.
Another conspicuous bird of parks, gardens and the general countryside is the Song Thrush. This delightful bird, warm brown above and heavily spotted below, has undergone quite a dramatic decline in recent decades, especially in intensively managed farmland. Thankfully there are encouraging signs of a slow recovery, though it is nowhere near as numerous as it once was.
Famed and named for its characterful vocalisations, this thrush has a pretty impressive repertoire. Its distinctive song is made up of multiple parts, with each short phrase repeated two or three times before it bounds swiftly on to the next one. A tell-tale sign of Song Thrush activity is the presence of a favoured ‘anvil’ – a large stone where the bird smashes open the shells of snails to get to the tasty soft body inside!
The similar, but larger and somewhat ‘greyer’ looking Mistle Thrush is unfortunately in serious decline and has been placed on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. Despite being our largest songbird, Mistle Thrushes are surprisingly easily overlooked. They can be distinguished from the smaller Song Thrush by their size, the lack of warm brown tones in their plumage and the very heavy dark spots on the breast. Their song is almost like a cross between that of Blackbird and Song Thrush but they have a loud and unmistakable rattling call that is instantly recognisable!
Our other thrush species are temporary visitors. One, the Ring Ouzel mentioned earlier, is primarily a scarce summer visitor and is mainly restricted to our more remote uplands. Butt here are two other birds that come here from northern Europe in large numbers to spend the winter. These are Redwings and Fieldfares.
Redwings are Song Thrush sized and are often found in sizeable flocks. These birds are highly nomadic and will move around the countryside in search of fruit-laden trees, bushes and shrubs. They are quite skittish and will often take cover if disturbed, but when settled are a joy to watch as they gobble down berries. These rather dainty birds have a bright white stripe over the eye and as their name suggests, a rusty-red flash on their underwings and flanks.
The Fieldfare is a large and striking bird. This chunky thrush has a grey head, lower-back and rump and chestnut upper-back and wings. Its tail is black and its heavily spotted breast sits on a warm ochre wash. Quite a stunner! A rather noisy bird, the loud and excited ‘chack-chack’ calls often alert you to their presence, as they explode from a tall hawthorn or pass overhead in search of their next berry-filled bush.
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