Fieldfare

About

The Fieldfare is a large, colorful thrush, easily recognized by its grey head and rump, chestnut back, and spotted breast. It is a highly social bird, often seen in large flocks, especially during migration and in winter. Known for its distinctive chattering calls, it is a common winter visitor across much of Europe and Asia, breeding in northern regions.

Size & lifespan

Length

22-27 cm

Wingspan

39-42 cm

Weight

80-140 g

Lifespan

Typically 2-5 years in the wild, with records up to 18 years.

Diet

Omnivore, primarily insects, worms, and berries.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have a distinctive grey head, nape, and rump, contrasting with a rich chestnut-brown back and dark brown wings. The breast and flanks are heavily spotted with black on a creamy-buff background, fading to white on the belly. The tail is dark brown to black. A pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe) is often visible.

Beak shape

Medium-length, strong, pointed bill, yellow with a dark tip in adults, especially prominent in breeding season. Juveniles have a duller, more brownish bill.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark brown to blackish-brown.

Distinguishing features

The combination of grey head/rump, chestnut back, and heavily spotted breast is unique among European thrushes. Its upright posture and distinctive flight calls are also key identifiers.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are duller overall, with a browner head and rump, and less distinct spotting on the breast. The back may have pale streaks, and the bill is duller, often brownish-yellow.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. The bill color may become brighter yellow in breeding adults.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are largely monomorphic in plumage, though males may appear slightly brighter during the breeding season. Differences are subtle and not reliable for field identification.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage Pattern

   Look for the striking combination of a grey head, nape, and rump, contrasting with a chestnut-brown back. The breast and flanks are heavily spotted with black on a buffy background.

2. 2

   Size and Shape

   It's a large, robust thrush with an upright posture. In flight, note its strong, direct flight and often compact flocking behavior.

3. 3

   Calls

   Listen for its distinctive, harsh, rattling 'chack-chack-chack' call, especially when in flight or disturbed. This is a key identifier.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Observe its highly social nature, often feeding in large flocks on open ground or in berry-laden trees. Its habit of 'chacking' loudly when taking flight is characteristic.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Boreal forests, taiga, open woodlands, farmland, orchards, parks, gardens, and heathland.

Geographic range

Breeds across northern Eurasia, from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe eastward through Siberia to northeastern Asia. Winters across much of Western, Central, and Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Central Asia.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 1,000 meters, occasionally higher in mountainous regions during breeding.

Preferred environments

During breeding, prefers open birch or conifer woodlands, often near clearings or bogs. In winter, it favors open agricultural land, pastures, orchards, and areas with abundant berry-bearing shrubs and trees.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

Forages primarily on the ground, walking or hopping, searching for invertebrates like earthworms, snails, and insects. In autumn and winter, its diet shifts heavily to berries and fallen fruit (e.g., rowan, hawthorn, apple). They often feed in large, noisy flocks.

Social behavior

Highly gregarious, especially outside the breeding season, forming large flocks of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. During breeding, they often nest in loose colonies, which provides some protection against predators.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct, and undulating flight, often in compact flocks. When disturbed, they fly off with characteristic chattering calls.

Migration pattern

A long-distance migratory species. Northern populations are obligate migrants, moving south and west for the winter. Southern breeding populations may be partially migratory or altitudinal migrants. Migration occurs mainly from September to November and March to May.

Territoriality

During the breeding season, pairs defend a small territory around the nest, often cooperatively within a loose colony. In winter, they are not territorial and forage communally.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

April to July, typically one or two broods per year.

Nesting habits

Nests are usually built in trees or large bushes, often in loose colonies. The nest is a bulky cup made of grass, twigs, moss, and leaves, lined with mud and fine grass. Nests are typically 1-10 meters above the ground.

Clutch size

4-7 eggs, most commonly 5-6.

Egg description

4-7 eggs, typically blue-green with reddish-brown spots and blotches, similar to other thrushes but often slightly paler.

Incubation period

11-14 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

12-15 days after hatching. Young are fed by both parents.

Parental care

Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the young. In colonial settings, mobbing behavior against predators is common.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Look for Flocks. Fieldfares are rarely seen alone outside the breeding season. Scan open areas for large, often noisy, flocks of thrushes.
2. Listen for Calls. Their 'chack-chack' call is very distinctive and often heard before the birds are seen, especially when they are disturbed and take flight.
3. Check Berry Trees. In late autumn and winter, focus your search on trees and shrubs laden with berries, as these are prime feeding grounds.
4. Observe Feeding Behavior. Watch for birds foraging on the ground in open fields, often moving in a characteristic stop-and-go manner.

Similar species

Quick facts

Sociality:

Highly gregarious, forming large flocks outside breeding season.

Diet Shift:

Invertebrates in summer, berries/fruit in winter.

Migration:

Long-distance migrant, wintering in milder climates.

Distinguishing Mark:

Grey head/rump, chestnut back, spotted breast.

Fun facts

• Fieldfares are known to 'mob' predators, such as crows or raptors, by dive-bombing and defecating on them, especially when nesting in colonies.
• In some parts of their range, Fieldfares are considered a sign of winter's arrival due to their migratory patterns.
• They can be quite bold when foraging in winter, sometimes coming into gardens, especially during harsh weather.
• The name 'Fieldfare' is derived from Old English 'feld-fere', meaning 'field-goer', referring to its habit of foraging in open fields.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Turdidae

Genus

Turdus

Species

Turdus pilaris

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