Ring Ouzel Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)

Ring Ouzels, also known as mountain blackbirds, are black and white members of the Thrush family and are roughly the same size as Blackbirds. Male Ring Ouzels are mainly black with a broad white crescent across their breast and their feathers on the wings and some body feathers have white edging which makes them resemble scales.

Females are similar but are more browny coloured in areas that are black in males plus the white parts are duller in females as well. Ring Ouzels are summer visitors to the UK flying in from Spain and north west Africa towards the end of March or early April to breed in British uplands.

To find out more about these fascinating Thrushes, keep reading.

How Long Does A Ring Ouzel Live?

The typical lifespan of a Ring Ouzel is around 2 years and they reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age.

Having said that, the maximum age of a Ring Ouzel according to ring data is 9 years and 13 days.

How Fast Can A Ring Ouzel Fly?

Ring Ouzels can reach speeds of around 30 to 40 mph (48 to 64 km/h) during their migratory flights. They have direct, undulating flight patterns which incorporate short glides.

Their speed can vary depending on whether the bird is healthy, the speed of the wind and whether the birds are flying in a straight line or manoeuvring around their habitats.

Are Ring Ouzels Aggressive?

In general, Ring Ouzels are solitary birds during the non-breeding season but often form small flocks during winter. Having said that, they can become aggressive towards other males during the breeding season. They will also get very excited if an intruder approaches their nests and repeatedly fly at them to deter them from getting too close to the nest.

They will continue to divebomb any intruder whilst also calling loudly to deter anyone getting too close to the nest or their mates.

Ring Ouzels can also become aggressive in situations where food is scarce. They will typically fight with other members of the Thrush family over food. They have been observed at feeding stations aggressively defending fallen apples and keeping them just for themselves.

What Is A Ring Ouzel’s Habitat?

Ring Ouzels breed all across western and northern Europe all the way from north-west Ireland through Scandinavia, north west Russia, the Balkans, Greece, Turkey and as far east as Turkmenistan. They typically inhabit upland and mountainous regions including; moorlands, heathlands, wooded valleys and mountain slopes.

During migration, they can often be spotted in a variety of habitats including; lowland fields, hedgerows and gardens. They use these areas as resting places and to feed on their way to and from their breeding grounds.

How Long Does It Take For A Ring Ouzel To Build A Nest?

Ring Ouzels typically take anywhere between 3 to 10 days to build a nest. The exact time depends on the weather, the availability of nesting materials and the age and experience of the bird.

The nest is a cup-shaped structure typically built from dry grasses, heather, moss and leaves. The outer part of the nest is usually made from coarser materials like twigs and moss while the inner part is softer and is made from grasses often held together with mud.

Ring Ouzels prefer to build their nests on the ground or in low shrubs, often in sheltered locations such as in a crevice of a rock, on a steep bank, or at the base of a bush. The nest is usually well-concealed to protect against predators.

Eggs

Once the nest has been successfully constructed, we move onto the next stage in the life cycle of the Ring Ouzel, the eggs.

When Do Ring Ouzels Lay Eggs?

Breeding typically begins in mid-April and can continue through to around mid-July. The exact time when eggs are laid depends on climatic conditions and the availability of food.

Ring Ouzels typically raise two broods each season this helps to maintain population numbers worldwide although their numbers have declined dramatically in the UK in recent years.

How Many Eggs Does A Ring Ouzel Lay?

Ring Ouzels can lay anywhere between 3 to 6 eggs but an average clutch size is around 4 or 5. The number of eggs laid is dependent on the health and age of the female.

What Do Ring Ouzel Eggs Look Like?

Ring Ouzel eggs are pale blue or greenish-blue in colour with reddish brown spots. Each egg is around 30 x 22 mm in size and weighs around 7.4 grams of which 6% is shell.

How Long Do Ring Ouzel Eggs Take To Hatch?

The eggs are incubated solely by the female for around 13 days. The male remains close by and will sit on the eggs for short periods. 

Chicks

Once the eggs hatch, we move onto the next stage in the life cycle of the Ring Ouzel, the chick rearing stage.

How Many Chicks Does A Ring Ouzel Have?

The number of chicks generally corresponds to the number of eggs laid. However, a recent study revealed that the survival rate of eggs to chicks in Ring Ouzels was around 66%.

This means that out of an average of 4 eggs laid there would be 2 to 3 chicks that make it to hatching stage.

When Do Ring Ouzel Chicks Open Their Eyes?

Ring Ouzel chicks are altricial which means they are blind and naked when they hatch. These altricial chicks are entirely dependent on their parents for food, temperature regulation and protection.

However, with sufficient protein rich food, the chicks develop quickly and typically open their eyes after 3 or 4 days.

When Do Ring Ouzel Chicks Fledge?

The chicks develop and grow at a rapid rate and typically fledge the nest at around 14 to 16 days after hatching. However, they still depend on their parents for food and protection for at least another 12 days after fledging.

In many cases, they only have a few weeks to build up enough strength to make their long migratory flight to their wintering grounds.

SEE ALSO: Bar-Tailed Godwit Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

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