Occasional

Summary

The redwing is the smallest member of the thrush family.

It visits the UK over the winter months to feast on the seasonal berries in our hedgerows, parks and gardens.

It gets its name from the orange-red patches under its wings, which make it stand out from other members of the thrush family.

A handful of pairs breed in the UK, but most are winter visitors from Iceland, Scandinavia, and the Faroes.

They are social bids and can often be found in flocks with fieldfare, foraging for food.

Redwing facts and statistics

• Length: 21cm
• Wingspan: 34cm
• Weight: 63g
• Diet: worms, berries, fruit

How to identify

It has a creamy-white chest covered in dark brown streaks, a white stripe above its eye, and a distinctive red-orange underwing which distinguishes it from the similar song thrush.

Conservation status

The redwing is classed as a Red List species of conservation concern. It is believed that climate change could be the reason for the global decline in numbers of this threatened bird.

Habitat

• Fields
• Hedgerows
• Parks
• Gardens (occasionally)