Birds and wildlife

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisGroup: ThrushesUK Conservation status:Red

How to identify

Fieldfares are large, colourful thrushes, much like a Mistle Thrush in size, shape and behaviour. They stand very upright and move forward with purposeful hops. They are very social birds, spending the winter in flocks of anything from ten or twenty to several hundred strong. These straggling, chuckling flocks which roam the UK's countryside are a delightful and attractive part of the winter scene.

Call

Fieldfare

Niels Krabbe / xeno-canto

Key features to look out for

  • Larger than Blackbird 
Fieldfare adult perched in rowan tree at sunrise
Fieldfare
Did you know?

They are rather noisy bird, the loud and excited ‘chack-chack’ calls often alert you to their presence, as they explode from a tall hawthorn or pass overhead in search of their next berry-filled bush.

Conservation status

Red-listed in the UK but categorised as Least Concern globally. The cause of their decline here is not understood completely but is thought to be linked to loss of woodlands. 

Where and when to see them

Difficulty level - Medium

Fieldfares join mixed flocks with Redwings and can be seen coming into roost together at dusk. Look out for these birds perched at the tops of trees with other thrushes in local parks, countryside and nature reserves. They can be identified by their very ‘upright’ silhouette.  

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
Fieldfare adult perched in rowan tree on the tip of a branch
Fieldfare
How to identify the UK’s thrushes, including two special winter visitors

Get to know the UK’s thrushes, including the Fieldfares and Redwings that flock here for the winter.

Redwings and Fieldfares are both species of thrush and in this feature, we take a look at these and other thrushes that are found in the UK. Read on to find out more about this fascinating family of birds and for ID tips. 

Fieldfare, perched in rowan tree
Fieldfare
Birds of the month

Head outside and discover fascinating birds each month. Read on for top ID tips, what to listen for, and where to see them.

Key facts