The redwing is the UK's smallest thrush, while the fieldfare is a large thrush. Both tend to live and breed in southern Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe, and winter in warmer countries including the UK (though many fieldfares do not migrate). Very few pairs of either bird breed in the UK. Redwings and fieldfares are often seen together. About 750,000 birds of each species winter in the UK each year.
Redwings have a creamy stripe above the eye and orange-red patches on the flank. Their red underwing is visible in flight. They are the least hardy thrush species and cold snaps or lack of food may easily cause mass mortality. They have a thin "seep" call and their song has three or four fluty notes. Redwings roost communally, hundreds in the same location, although they are usually seen in smaller numbers during the day.
Fieldfare
Photo copyright D. J. Garner
Fieldfares have a blue-grey crown, black tail, white underwing and buff breast with black streaks. They move with purposeful hops and spend the winter in flocks of up to several hundred. They have a loud "chack chack" call and chuckling song.
The birds may be seen in fields, hedgerows, orchards and woodland. They eat worms, insects and fruit and are especially attracted to hawthorn berries and windfall apples.
They are not consistent in their wintering location. Flocks of redwing ringed in the UK have been found the following winter in countries as far away as Italy, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Georgia and even Iran.
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