Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Fieldfare, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, January 2010 - click for larger image United Kingdom

The Fieldfare breeds in central and northern Europe and into Siberia. It is migratory and winters mainly in western, southern and central Europe. It moves south in October and November and tends to return to Scandinavia around April.

Fieldfare, Aberlady, East Lothian, Scotland, February 2004 - click for larger image It breeds in woodland, parks and gardens and is noted for defending its nest from crows by chasing the crow and shiting on it. During migration it tends to be seen in flocks in open areas and is strongly attracted by autumn berries.

It is one of the larger thrushes and has a grey head, brownish wings, a pale grey rump with a rufous tinge to its heavily spotted underparts.

Fieldfare, Lammermuir Hills, East Lothian, Scotland, 4th May 2005 - click for larger image Photo 3 shows a bird that has lost its tail. It photographed on 4th May 2005 which is very late in the year for Scotland.

A typical call is a loud 2, 3 or 4 note "shak-shak-shak"

Fieldfare, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, January 2010 - click for larger image
Fieldfare and Blackbird, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, England, January 2010 - click for larger image Photo 5 shows a Fieldfare squabbling with a female Blackbird T. merula over a fallen apple.
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