
Redwing
(Turdus iliacus)
Commonly thought to symbolise the advent of Autumn, Redwings are migratory winter birds. Native to Eurasia, they mostly return to the UK in October and November in large flocks, leaving again in March and April.
With a striking ginger-red underwing, it’s not difficult to see where the Redwing derives its name from. Small in size, soft and plump, they are typical in appearance to other birds of the Thrush family (Turdidae), the family to which they belong.
A true thrush is a medium-sized bird belonging to the Turdidae family.
How to identify a Redwing
Not to be confused with Song thrushes, which can weigh over 100g, Redwings are the UK’s smallest true thrushes, weighing in at just 50-75g. They are identifiable not only by their red underwings, but also by their creamy-white, conspicuous strip (supercilium) above the eye. If you are lucky enough to encounter a rare sighting of a Redwing in your garden, look out for these distinct features.
Determining the sex of a Redwing based on aesthetics can be a challenge; both characterised by olive brown backs and white breasts with dark spots and streaks. Keep a close ear out for the typical Thrush-like and varied song of a male Redwing marking their territory from the treetops. The typical call of a Redwing follows a high-pitched ‘seeze’ sound but, during flight, they tend to vocalise using a lower-pitched twitter.
The Redwing migrates after dusk in clear skies, so if you are fortunate enough to recognise these sounds of an October evening you may well be within close proximity of a flock of Redwings preparing to settle in their UK wintering grounds.
Redwing diet
Wild fruits, berries and mealworms are common ingredients in a Redwing’s diet, hence they are typically spotted roaming across the British countryside in hedges and open fields. Rarely visiting gardens, extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall can often force Redwings into the more domestic environments of a home garden in pursuit of food.

Taxonomy
Its name – Turdus iliacus – dates back to 1758 when Swedish Zoologist, Carl Linnaeus, referred to the species in his book Systema Naturae.
- ‘Turdus’ is Latin for ‘Thrush’
- ‘Ile’ means ‘flank’ and is used to classify the subspecies

Facts about the Redwing
- Often flying in flocks of hundreds of birds, the Redwing is highly sociable. In spite of this, feeding flocks are also incredibly cautious and once disturbed, will seek refuge by tactically waiting in neighbouring trees.
- Unlike their relative subspecies of the Thrush family, Redwings unusually tend to nest in the ground, with their chicks customarily fledging around 14 days post-hatching.
- There are indeed two distinct types of Redwing; one arriving from Scandinavia and wintering in the southern parts of the British Isles; the other arriving from Iceland, wintering in Scotland and the Faroe Islands. The latter tend to be slightly darker and larger in size than their respective cohort.
Future of Redwings
Whilst Redwings are not considered to be globally threatened, harsh winters and wet summers can have an adverse effect on UK Redwing populations. The current UK resident population stands at 690,000, although this is, unfortunately, in decline.
Yearly fluctuations of this figure means that there remains an element of ambiguity around the exact number of Redwings, but it is well-believed that, regrettably, climate change may lead to the eventual loss of this, already-tiny, breeding population (4-16 pairs in the UK).
Most informative…very interesting
Saw an unusual bird in the front garden this morning. Looked it up and it was a red wing thrush. We are in Holland-on-Sea Essex, next to the nature reserve.
Just seen a Redwing in my garden in Bristol ! Photo attached shows it in the snow. Small urban back garden.
I also saw a pair of red wing today in our garden. Foraging in the snow!
3 redwing in my garden this morning in Burry Port – South West Wales…went to get camera and they had gone on my return…obviously camera shy! so no photo sorry…
just seen three of these birds in my front garden in London sw20 eating the last of the fruit. first ever sighting.
We have had one during the winter visting our garden daily in swansea city centre
And after looking it up here it’s definately what I saw seen in our in Northampton this morning. Looks like the snow is driving them into urban areas.
Just seen 4 redwings in our garden near Worcester, the snow is melting, seem to enjoy the meal worms and the honey suckle berries. Beautiful birds.
Redwing spotted in a medium sized garden in Herefordshire at 1p.m.
A pair of Redwings in my garden in Bristol enjoying berries.
Such pretty birds, very exciting!
Small suburban garden
Had two beautiful Redwing thrushes in my garden for the last three days owing to the amount of snow! Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Saw 3 Red Wings in garden yesterday. Husband took photos so we could identify. They stayed on and off for 2/3 hrs. Live in Churchdown Gloucester.
Saw a Redwing in my garden yesterday. I live in Co Clare, Ireland. It is a beautiful bird.
We had five Redwings in our garden in Hertfordshire during the recent spell of sub-zero temperatures, three males and two females. We have two pyracantha shrubs which different members of the thrush family (Blackbird, Songthrush and Redwing) seek out for the orange and red berries that seem so popular with this group of birds. Sadly, we don’t see so many Songthrushes around anymore so it was quite exciting when one decided to pay us a visit.
Just spotted six redwings in the local park opposite where I live in Lancaster. Very pretty. They must like all the trees and hedgerow, very pretty and lovely to see.
2 redwings visited our garden in Sutton Coldfield, west mids this morning. Enjoyed eating apples and suet pellets, along with the blackbirds and fieldfares. Very brief but welcome visit!
We’ve had a flock of 25 to 30 RedWing land and feed in our paddock this past 3 days here on the outskirts of Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Beautiful little birds we hadn’t seen before.
Redwing in Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol this morning; very exciting! Lots of berries for them to strip here ;)
If you have a holly bush or tree with berries on at xmas time cover in the day time otherwise theyl strip the lot!!!!!
I saw a small flock of these feeding on Rowan berries in our Surrey garden today. Never seen them before. Quite a treat.
Just been a walk with the dog in the Howard Park in Kilmarnock and saw a small flock of redwings. I was not sure what they were so looked it up when I came home.
I have just spotted a single redwing in our garden. We have snow here atm so I guess it is here for food and shelter. We are in North Cornwall, on the coast.
Just spotted a single redwing in our garden.It is the first time it has ever happened, but hope it won’t be the last.
Saw a rather dazed looking small Redwing on the front drive of house in Sutton Coldfield on Sunday 16.02.20
Very stormy weekend. Extensive gardens and trees to rear of property. Poor thing looked quite lost.
Hi had a pair of Redwings in my garden all week Sheffield lovely birds
Just spotted a pair of Redwings on a Holly tree in my garden today.They’ve been here for a couple if days.
Im in Edinburgh.
Redwing in my garden this morning eating holly berries.
Stratton strawless, Norfolk
Small flock (20+) in ascot eating holly berries
Just seen a redwing in our garden eating berries we watched ir for 10 mins enjoying our berries .chapeltown sheffield uk .
We always have a few come and visit in Bristol this time of year, they like the holly berries and ivy berries
Saturated with Redwings for about two months now in Herefordshire. We on on the edge of fields with lots of holly bushes and berry trees. A total joy to watch. Moved to the countryside September from a busy town…wish we had done it earlier. Beautiful birds.
Bromyard, Herefordshire
Several Redwings visiting the berries in our front driveway. Been here since just before Christmas 2020. Lovely to look at from my “home office” in lockdown!
Forgot to mention our location – Bath!
At least three redwings on our waterlogged green in Brixton Hill today. There are some trees for them to fly to for safety. Not a lot of berries, but our neighbourhood native hedgerow is coming along, so hope they visit next year. Love the way they hop along the ground!
Lovely to see a few redwings in our Cheam garden feeding on ivy berries. Hopefully they will remember the location and return next year?
Small flock of redwings in a small suburban garden in Beckenham this morning. Turning over leaves on the lawn.
Three or more redwings in my garden, se London, been here a few days. Lovely birds.
At least 6 in my Cheltenham garden for a couple of days now 25.01.21
A single redwing in my garden this morning feeding on seed and dried fruit fallen from bird feeder. First I have ever seen here.
Flock of 19-20 redwings feeding on our waterlogged lawn in Surbiton this morning. A squirrel scared them away – hoping they might return!
Three in my garden in NW9 today. Liking the Pyracantha berries. Never seen them before. Had to look up to see what they were
Redwing spotted Gallows Hill Bridge, Leicester Grand Union Canal towpath foraging in the snow next to our narrowboat. First sighting for me
First saw redwings in my garden on Sunday doing the National RSPB birdwatch. At one point today there were four in my garden.
First saw redwings in my garden on Sunday doing the National RSPB birdwatch. At one point today there were four in my garden in Harpenden.
Spotted a redwing this morning in Queens Park, Glasgow, foraging for food amongst the roots of a tree in the snow.
Got three red wings in my garden for the last few hours I’m in the midlands
Just saw a Redwing in our garden . We are in East Stirlingshire. I dont think I have ever seen one before!
Flock of at least 30 redwings seen in Lower Wick, Worcester WR2 today (13.02.2021). THey were feeding on the fruits of a large ivy covering a dead apple tree in my front garden
Think I’ve just seen a pair of red wings in Devon, near Exeter.
Oops forgot to attach the (terrible) pictures
Have had several redwings coming and going over the last few weeks stripping my large holly tree!
We have just had 30 or more red wing in our tree in the garden we are in medway kent
Redwing in our garden in Camberley, Surrey. first-time I’ve actually had my binoculars with me – so exciting! Too late for the annual birdwatch unfortunately
We had a dozen or more Redwings in our garden this afternoon, feeding on pyracantha berries. This was the first time we had experienced them visiting our garden, so very exciting for us.
Redwing appeared in my garden today, first ever sighting. Thought it looked like a thrush but the reddish brown markings either side of the chest led me to check what bird it was. I’m in East Kilbride, Scotland and the weather has been very snowy and cold. I understand they will come into urban gardens in these conditions.
Seen today on my garden wall , Darlington Co/Durham
Approximately 30 redwings have arrived in our garden in Newcastle upon Tyne. I’ve lived here for 10 years and haven’t seen one in the garden before. There are so many that it’s hard to get an accurate number. This is the second day they’ve been in the garden; they’re everwhere – it’s so lovely. We live on the edge of a park/woodland and heavy snow must’ve forced them to look for food in gardens.
Small flock of Redwing in the large growth of ivy attached to poplar trees at the bottom of my garden appear to be pulling at the ivy berries also came further into garden to drink from puddles. I am at Harewood End Herefordshire
Saw a Redwing in Crookes Valley Park , Sheffield on Saturday 13th February 21 , poking around for food on the ground despite the bitter chill.
Large flock of redwings feasting on the lawn in our London garden today. Have never seen so many birds at once.
Lovely to see a few redwings in our Cheam garden feeding on ivy berries. Hopefully they will remember the location and return next year?
We have a flock of atleast 50 Redwing visiting our garden daily.
So beautiful.
I had a Redwing in my garden yesterday afternoon x Wasn’t sure at 1st.. but i’m sure that’s what it is..see photo x
I had 2 Red Wings in my garden this morning in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, I’ve never seen one before, had my binoculars out, they were feeding on the Hawthorn Berries at the bottom of my garden. Gorgeous birds, very excited
Just rescued a redwing with a broken leg in my garden ( Cornwall) the rspb have taken him/her hopefully will be fit and flying high again soon
For the few weeks I have seen a large flock of birds , probably in the region of about fifty, that looked like thrushes but didn’t know what they were . After all the rain we’ve had , for the first time they have settled splashing around in the flooded fields that back onto the garden . I could easily see through my binoculars their markings . After looking them up I discovered they are Redwing !
PS I’m in Cheshire !
Watched a redwing feed on contoniaster red berries in my garden yesterday 17th January 2024 here in Belfast, in Castlereagh hills. Blackbirds and thrush visit this bush frequently, I love these birds, there’s something special about them.
I was lucky enough to see a Redwing in our back garden in Farnham Surrey . Such a beautiful bird . Never seen one before .
Just seen a few Redwing feeding outside the front of my house. Looked out of my window to see the leaves on the ground being tossed about. What a beautiful sight. I had to look them up , never seen them before. Beautiful birds.
We have just had a small flock of Redwings in our garden in Berkshire, feeding on the abundance of holly berries we have. First ever sighting.
Seen today 29/03/2024 in Rendlesham a Redwing in my garden for the first time… very pretty it stopped for a few minutes and ate some seeds then flew off
Excited to see 4 redwings in our garden this afternoon exploring the veg patch. My first sighting and feeling very privileged.
I saw a redwing in my back garden yesterday, foraging under the magnolia. I am in south Norfolk. I was most excited to it see it.
Hi , im currently in Gourock, Scotland. I saw these very unusual birds today and had to look them up , amazing to see so many. Approximately 40
Am surprised and delighted to see readwings locally here in South Staffordshire as late as this ,9th March.
A pair appeared to be gathering twigs. could they be nesting?
Redwings in Hillier Gardens Romsey Hants
3 beautiful redwings in the garden this morning, quite ravenous! Reading, Berkshire