Redwing

Turdus iliacus

A flash of rusty-red under the wing signals this charming thrush's arrival, often signalling the start of winter across Europe and beyond.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Redwing is a small thrush with distinctive rusty-red flanks and underwing. Its upperparts are brown, while the underparts are white with dark streaks. A prominent pale stripe above the eye contrasts with its dark brown head.

Both sexes look similar, both with black eyes, a yellow bill with a black tip, and pinkish legs. Juveniles appear similar to adults but have pale streaks on the upperparts and lack the characteristic rusty flanks.

Winter plumage is slightly duller than breeding plumage, but the red flanks remain a key identifier year-round.

Size

Length

20cm to 24cm

Wingspan

33cm to 35cm

Weight

50g to 75g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Red Buff

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Redwing can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Redwing is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Redwing is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Redwing is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Redwing can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Redwing can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Redwing is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Redwing is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Redwing is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Redwing is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Redwing is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Redwing is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Redwings breed in northern Europe and Asia, from Iceland to eastern Siberia. They prefer open woodlands, forest edges, and tundra with scattered trees for nesting. During winter, they migrate south to milder climates.

In the UK, Redwings are common winter visitors, arriving in large numbers from October onwards. They can be found in a variety of habitats including fields, parks, and gardens across the British Isles. They rarely forage in towns and cities, so head to the countryside for your best chance.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Redwing. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons