Fieldfare vs Redwing: How to Tell Them Apart

The Fieldfare is quite a stout bird with a dark streaked bluish grey head, a pale stripe over the eye, generously spotted orangey-yellow flanks and breast, chestnut wings and back, and a grey rump. The tail and flight feathers are black, and when flying, the underneath of the wings is white. Juvenile resembles adult Fieldfare but there are whitish spots at the base of the wings.

Orchards are common in winter, and it also tends towards hedgerows. Open farmland is another likely habitat, and Fieldfares usually feed near woods and dense hedge cover.

Has a 'chacker-chak-chak' call, and an 'ee-eep' most commonly heard while flying. The gentle, fluty song is rarely heard in the region.

The Redwing is smaller and more slender than the Song Thrush. The Redwing is greyish brown on top, whitish underneath with vivid spotting and streaking, the flanks are tinged a deep orangish-red, and there is a pale buffish stripe above the eye and underneath the cheek. Juveniles resemble adults but the flank colours are less vivid and there are whitish spots on the back.

Hedges and orchards are favoured territories in autumn, while in winter the Redwing is more commonly seen on areas of short grass, including farmland and parks. Scottish breeding grounds are on scrub territory in close proximity to water.

Has a 'tseep' call that is uttered most often during night migrations. The song is a variance of notes and phrases, and is rarely heard in the region.