Fieldfare Vs Redwing: Key Differences Explained

Although both Fieldfares and Redwings are members of the thrush family, their unique physical traits and behaviours set them apart, influencing their survival and reproduction.

Continue reading to learn more about their distinct characteristics.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Bluish-grey heads and yellow beaks are characteristic of Fieldfares, while Redwings are easily recognised by their red underwings and creamy-white eye stripes.
In winter, both species migrate to areas rich in fruits and berries but Fieldfares are also able to adapt to urban parks.
Redwing chicks fledge earlier and can produce multiple broods each season, unlike the Fieldfare, which has only one brood per year.
Fieldfares are larger and heavier, making them more suited for long migrations than the smaller Redwings.
While Fieldfares produce a straightforward ‘chacking’ call, Redwings have a varied and melodious vocal range.

What Is The Difference Between A Fieldfare And A Redwing?

We’ll take a closer look at what sets Fieldfares and Redwings apart, from their looks and habitats to their nests, eggs, and calls.

Visual Differences

Both belonging to the thrush family, Fieldfares and Redwings have noticeable visual differences. Fieldfares, similar in size to Mistle Thrushes, are distinguished by their bluish-grey heads and speckled breasts.

Their yellow beaks add colour to their greyish plumage. Both genders share these features, though the female may have a browner shade.

Redwings, on the other hand, are the smallest thrush species in the UK and are recognised by their creamy-white chests with dark brown spots and their striking red and orange underwings.

Their creamy-white eye stripes are also a key identifier. Males and females alike feature brown backs and white underparts with dark spots, their vibrant red flanks and underwing making them distinctive in natural settings.

Differences In Habitat

Redwings breed in northern Europe and the Palearctic, from Iceland and Scandinavia to northern Russia. They prefer conifer and birch forests, as well as tundra areas with scattered trees, which provide thick foliage for nesting and a rich supply of insects, crucial for their diet during the breeding season.

When winter arrives, Redwings migrate to milder climates. They are often found in open woodlands, farmlands with hedgerows, and parklands where fruits and berries are abundant, essential for their winter diet.

Fieldfares breed in the woodlands and scrub areas of northern Europe and the Palearctic. They choose forested habitats near open areas, which offer both shelter and food, with trees like birch, pine, alder, spruce, and fir, often near marshes or moorland.

As winter approaches, Fieldfares move south to farmlands with hedges, open woodlands, orchards, and occasionally urban parks and gardens, adapting to the changing availability of food and shelter.

Nests & Eggs

Fieldfares take anywhere from a few days to just over a week to build their nests, with the female usually doing the majority of the work. She creates a cup-shaped nest from twigs, grasses, and other plant materials, lining it with mud and fine grasses for added warmth.

The breeding season for Fieldfares starts as early as March and can run through to June. A typical clutch consists of 5 to 7 eggs, blue-green in colour with red-brown speckling, similar to blackbird eggs. These eggs take around 14 days to hatch, with the female beginning incubation before the full clutch is laid to help manage the timing of the chicks’ hatching.

Once the chicks hatch, their eyes begin to open within a week. They are ready to fledge about 14 days later, continuing to receive care from their parents as they grow.

For Redwings, the nest-building process is slightly quicker, taking between 3 and 6 days. The female weaves grass, twigs, and moss together and adds mud to strengthen the cup-shaped nest. Redwings tend to lay eggs later, from April through to July, taking advantage of the abundance of spring food.

They lay fewer eggs per clutch, typically between 4 and 6, which are green-blue with red-brown marbling and are relatively small, which helps them blend into the low-lying nests. The eggs take about 12 to 13 days to hatch, and the female mostly incubates, with the male providing food.

The Redwing chicks open their eyes within a few days and are ready to fledge within 12 to 15 days. They remain dependent on their parents for about two more weeks, allowing the possibility of raising multiple broods during one season.

Bird Calls

Offering a distinct auditory experience, Redwings have vocalisations marked by a short, varied melody and a melodious whistling sound during flight. Their songs show dialectic variations, meaning that different groups may have unique song patterns, though these patterns stay consistent within local populations.

Typically, their songs begin with an introductory sequence that shifts in frequency and tone, before transitioning into a more complex and rapid pattern. This display of sounds stands in stark contrast to the more straightforward calls of other thrush species.

By contrast, Fieldfares are known for their ‘chacking’ call, especially when in flight. This call is a key identifier in rural settings.

Alongside the primary ‘chacking’, Fieldfares also produce a variety of guttural sounds that act as flight and alarm calls. These sounds are used extensively within flocks to communicate and alert others to possible threats.

Size & Weight

Known for their long migrations, Fieldfares weigh between 80 and 130 grams. They have a body length of about 25 centimetres and a wingspan of 39 to 42 centimetres, making them one of the larger thrushes. Though smaller than the Mistle Thrush, they are larger than everyday garden birds like the Blackbird.

Redwings, however, are smaller and lighter, a characteristic that supports their migration. Weighing between 50 and 75 grams, they are about 21 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of 33 to 35 centimetres. Their smaller size allows them to navigate different environments effectively during migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Fieldfares and Redwings?

The key difference between Fieldfares and Redwings lies in their physical appearance and behaviour. Fieldfares have bluish-grey heads and yellow beaks, and they are larger, making them better suited for longer migrations. Redwings are smaller, with creamy-white eye stripes and red underwings, and they can produce multiple broods each season.

How do you identify a Fieldfare?

A Fieldfare can be identified by its bluish-grey head and speckled breast. They also have yellow beaks which add a splash of colour to their otherwise greyish plumage. Both male and female Fieldfares share these features, although females may have a slightly browner shade.

What does a Redwing look like?

Redwings are recognisable by their smaller size, creamy-white chests with dark brown spots, and distinctive red and orange underwings. They also have creamy-white eye stripes. Both males and females have brown backs and white underparts with dark spots, making them distinctive in natural settings.

What is the wingspan of a Fieldfare?

The wingspan of a Fieldfare typically ranges from 39 to 42 centimetres. This makes them one of the larger thrush species, although they are smaller than the Mistle Thrush but larger than many common garden birds like the Blackbird.