Fieldfare

Turdus pilaris

The fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae.

Family: Turdidae Order: passerines Conservation: Least Concern
Fieldfare

About the Fieldfare

The fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. It breeds in woodland and scrub in northern Europe and across the Palearctic. It is strongly migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in the British Isles, but winters in large numbers in the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of molluscs, insects and earthworms in the summer, and berries, grain and seeds in the winter. Fieldfares often nest in small colonies, possibly for protection from predators. The nest is built in a tree where five or six eggs are laid. The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest after a fortnight (a period of two weeks). There may be two broods in southern parts

Fun Facts About Fieldfare

  • The male has a simple chattering song and the birds have various guttural flight and alarm calls.
  • The fieldfare is 25 cm (10 in) long, with a grey crown, neck and rump, a plain brown back, dark wings and tail and white underwings.
  • There may be two broods in southern parts of the range but only one further north.
  • The sexes are similar in appearance but the females are slightly more brown.
  • The nest is built in a tree where five or six eggs are laid.

Conservation Status

The Fieldfare is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Orderpasserines
FamilyTurdidae
GenusTurdus
SpeciesTurdus pilaris

Range & Habitat

Range map of Fieldfare

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Related Species

Other species in the Turdidae family: