The Redwing is largely a winter visitor to the UK only, though a very small number of pairs now breed in the northern third of Scotland. In the winter months Redwings are often seen in large flocks which also include the larger Fieldfare. A member of the thrush family, the Redwing is a highly attractive bird with a speckled breast much like that of the Song Thrush, a distinct cream stripe above the eye and a less distinct one below. However, it is the chestnut-red flush on the underwing that helps make identifying this bird an easy job. Male and female Redwings look essentially the same. In gardens, the Redwing is normally only seen in harsh winter conditions when fields are frozen or covered in snow, and when they do come to gardens they’ll be after berries and including on ornamental shrubs such as pyracantha.

What sound does a Redwing make?

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Redwing nesting and breeding habits

The nest site of the Redwing can be in a tree, bush, rotten tree stump, or even direct on the ground on a bank. The nest is made of twigs, grass, lichen and moss, and sometimes with an inner lining of mud, with the final lining being normally made up of fine grass. The overall final structure makes a substantial cup, with only the female bird having taken part in the construction. There are one or two broods per year of 5-6 eggs, and again only the female carries out the task of incubation. Thankfully, the male bird does get involved in feeding the young, and shares this role with the female.

Redwing history and population trends

The first record of breeding Redwings in the UK was 1925, and this in Sutherland in the north of Scotland. Since then numbers have grown but also fluctuated, and it’s believed that there are still no more than 100 breeding pairs. Therefore the trend has been one of very moderate increase over the last 90 years or so, and to give this more context the number of wintering Redwings which arrive on our shores from northern mainland Europe and Iceland each autumn, is estimated at around 690,000. However, the trend has been for a slight decline in numbers over recent decades.

Behaviour traits of Redwing

Redwings are sociable birds and will generally form large flocks for migration and their time in the UK in the winter months. Often forming mixed flocks with Fieldfares, in harsh winter weather when the ground is frozen, Redwings can turn up in force in gardens with berries and fallen fruit on offer, and can quickly strip a shrub such as pyracantha of its berries.

Redwing diet and food

The diet of the redwing is varied and includes snails, earthworms, slugs and insects, then progressively more berries and fallen fruit in the winter months. Hawthorn, holly and rowan berries are some of the native species which are eaten by Redwings, but in gardens, parks and shopping centre car parks etc. then berries from ornamental shrubs including pyracantha and cotoneaster will readily be eaten. The only food to put out in gardens which is likely to attract Redwings in frozen conditions, is apples (cut them in half and place on the lawn flesh-side up).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Redwings common in UK?

Migrant Redwings are common in the winter months in many areas of the UK as they search for food, and in very cold spells will readily come into gardens to feed on berries from shrubs such as Pyracantha. They will also eat fallen apples on the ground. As a breeding species, Redwings are very rare in the UK with less than a 100 pairs in the north of Scotland.

Where do Redwings go in the summer?

Most of the Redwings that come to the UK for winter have come from and will return to Scandinavia and Iceland for the summer to breed.

How long do Redwings live?

The average lifespan for a Redwing is probably around two years.

What is the difference between a Redwing and Song thrush?

The most obvious visual difference between the two species is the red patch under the wing of the Redwing (and hence its name) which the Song thrush doesn’t have.

How many Redwings are there in the UK?

Each winter around 690,000 Redwings come to the UK, with between 50 to a 100 Redwings breeding in the north of Scotland.

Redwing or Fieldfare?

Although the Redwing and Fieldfare are both species of Thrush and often flock together outside of the breeding season, they're actually very easy to tell apart. The first thing to look for is size, with the Redwing being smaller than a Fieldfare and about the size of a Song thrush, with the larger Fieldfare being nearly as big as Mistle thrush. For the plumage colour, Redwings have a brown back and head with a strong and distinct white eye stripe, whereas the Fieldfare has a blue/grey head and only a subtle eye stripe. The breast colour and markings are also very different, with the Redwing having a white breast and streaks a bit like a Song thrush, with the Fieldfare having an orange top to the breast, which is also streaked, which then is white from the belly downwards but with very few streaks. The other obvious difference is the red below the wing of the Redwing, which the Filedfare doesn't have.