Tuesday 24 November 2009

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") iliacus ("of the flanks")

Adult Redwing (subspecies T. i. iliacus) at Geddington, Northants - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Turdus iliacus iliacus
Weight: 50-75g  /  Length: 20-24cm  /  Wingspan: 33-34.5cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The smallest British Thrush - the redwing is primarily a winter visitor - it arrives in huge numbers at the end of the autumn and can often be seen in large noisy flocks trying feeding on berries, often mixed with fieldfares. The main issue with this species is that it can be very flighty, and so the best photographs will almost certainly be achieved when you see it without it seeing you.  

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies: T. i. iliacus, T. i. coburni

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Very rare breeding resident (4-16 pairs) and common Winter visitor (690,000 birds)
 - Seen at sites including Rutland WaterPitsford ReservoirDitchford Gravel Pits and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPBWikipedia, Xeno-canto

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