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Redwing (Turdus iliacus) — photo 1 of 6
© Andreas Trepte CC BY-SA 2.5

Thrushes · Perching birds

Redwing

Turdus iliacus

Year-round

Voice

Song

steve

0:18

Song

Thor Bjorkvoll

1:14

Call

Sonothèque ADVL

0:11

How to recognize it

  • Small thrush, slightly smaller than Song Thrush

  • Olive-brown back, pale underparts with dark spots

  • Rusty-red flanks and underwing

  • Creamy white eyebrow; thin piping contact call

About the species

The redwing has a quiet, understated look and a pale eyebrow above the eye. In parks and city edges, it is often easier to notice by its active manner and soft voice than by its colors.

It is alert and mobile, usually moving alone or in small flocks. Its song is short and subdued, built from repeated whistling phrases, and in flight it gives a thin contact call; migration often happens at night.

In spring and summer it uses light woods, birch stands, parks, and places with shrubs and water. It feeds mainly on insects and earthworms, then adds berries, especially rowan, in autumn and winter; most leave for south-western Europe, though some stay near people in winter.

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Sources