Redwing
Turdus iliacus

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized passerine, slightly larger than a Common Starling
– nocturnal migrant, migration may continue during the day
– very vocal

>> FLIGHT >>>>>

– size and flight pattern resembles Song Thrush
– small groups or single birds difficult to distinguish at distance
– at peak migration time, however, usually in larger groups than Song Thrush
– flocks usually comprise 1-10 individuals but often considerably more
– occasionally in mixed flocks with Song Thrush, Fieldfare or Common Chaffinch
– flight pattern like Song Thrush, sometimes reminiscent of Eurasian Skylark, fast (especially wingbeat), quite straight

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

BIF118_MPU_I1Q9247_121024_redw_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0118, 24/10/2012, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF119_MPU_I1Q9249_121024_redw_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0119, 24/10/2012, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF299_MPU_1308_111014_redw_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0299, 14/10/2011, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF300_MPU_1317_111014_redw_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0300, 14/10/2011, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF407_MPU_I1Q2384_150324_redw_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0407, 24/03/2015, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF301_MPU_I1Q9403_121024_redw_1cy_d_north-sea
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, 1CY
BIF0301, 24/10/2012, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF2852, 07/10/2014, Helgoland, Germany, Roland Neumann


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF1678, 30/10/2014, North Sea, offshore, Roland Neumann


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF3419, 29/10/2020, Stüdenitz, Germany, Patrick Franke


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF3420, 29/10/2020, Stüdenitz, Germany, Patrick Franke

BIF408__MPU_I1Q9006_121022_redw_d_jadebusen
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus
BIF0408, 22/10/2012, Jadebusen, Germany, Mathias Putze

>> SOUND ID >>>>>


Redwing Turdus iliacus coburni, AD, calls in flight
BIF1716, 29/06/2015, Myvatn, Iceland, Patrick Franke


Redwing Turdus iliacus coburni, AD, calls in flight
BIF1717, 30/06/2015, Stakholstjörn, Iceland, Patrick Franke
– note strong and slow modulation in call 2-5


Redwing Turdus iliacus coburni, AD, calls in flight
BIF1718, 01/07/2015, Kaldbakur, Iceland, Patrick Franke


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, calls during migration
Great Tit Parus m. major, calls during migration
Firecrest Regulus i. ignicapilla, calls during migration
BIF1719, 20/03/2017, Terpitz, Germany, Patrick Franke
– note slow modulation resembles Common Blackbird, but usually more descending in frequency


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, calls during migration, social call
BIF1720, 20/03/2017, Terpitz, Germany, Patrick Franke
– note variability in length and modulation


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, calls during migration
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF1145, 02/11/2010, Altenfeld, Germany, Patrick Franke
– note variability in length and modulation, Common Blackbird usually less descending in frequency, slower modulated and clearly audible and visible two-voice

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Common Blackbird (a) (v)
Fieldfare (v)
Song Thrush (v)
Mistle Thrush (v)

#songbird #passerine

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