| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 21cm |
| Wingspan: | 34cm |
| Weight: | 63g |
| Average Lifespan: | 2 years |
The redwing is a winter visitor, enjoying the feast of seasonal berries the UK's hedgerows, gardens and parks have to offer. Look out for the distinctive orangey-red patches under its wings.
About
The redwing is a small thrush that visits the UK in the winter to feast on berry-laden bushes in hedgerows, orchards, parks and gardens. Redwings migrate here at night - on clear evenings listen out for their 'tsee' call overhead. They can often be spotted in flocks with fieldfares, moving from bush to bush looking for food. Apples and berry-producing bushes like hawthorn may attract redwings into the garden.
How to identify
The redwing is dark brown above and white below, with a black-streaked breast and distinctive orangey-red flanks and underwing, which the similar song thrush lacks. It has a very smart face pattern, with a white eyebrow stripe and dark brown cheeks.
Did you know?
A tiny population of redwings breed in the UK, but most of our birds come from Iceland and Scandinavia in the winter.