The 'Redwing' (''Turdus iliacus'') is a
bird in the
thrush family Turdidae.
It breeds in
conifer and
birch forest and
tundra in northern
Europe and
Asia. It is strongly
migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in
Great Britain and
Ireland, but winters in large numbers in these countries.
Redwings nest in shrubs or on the ground, laying several
eggs in a neat nest. Migrating and wintering birds often form large flocks, often with
fieldfares.

Redwings often construct their nests on the ground.
The Redwing is similar in size to the
Song Thrush. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of
insects and
earthworms in summer, and berries in winter.
The sexes are similar, with plain brown backs and streaked white underparts. The most striking identification features are the red flanks and underwing, and the white stripe above the eye.
The male has a varied short song, and a whistling flight call.
This species is not closely related to the
Red-winged Blackbird, a
North American species, which is an
icterid, family Icteridae.
References
★ Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern