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Redwing & red berry (Turdus iliacus)
The UK’s smallest thrush, the redwing, is around 21cm in length with a wingspan of up to 35cm. It has a creamy-white chest covered in dark brown streaks, a distinctive red-orange underwing and a creamy-white stripe above its eye.
Redwings were the first bird species which were proved to detect fruit using ultraviolet vision. This is because the waxy coatings of berries reflect UV light, making them more appealing to birds.
The Redwing is a small winter visiting thrush from Scandinavia and Iceland, usually arriving in late September and staying until March-April. The Scandinavian birds usually winter in southern Britain and the Icelandic birds in Scotland and Ireland - the Icelandic birds are slightly larger and darker than the Scandinavian birds.
Due to the tiny numbers that breed in the UK (usually less than 20) the redwing is classed as a Red List species of conservation concern. It is believed that climate change could ultimately cause the loss of this already small breeding population.
(Woodland trust)
Taken @ Kidwelly
Click on image for larger view
Redwing & red berry (Turdus iliacus)
The UK’s smallest thrush, the redwing, is around 21cm in length with a wingspan of up to 35cm. It has a creamy-white chest covered in dark brown streaks, a distinctive red-orange underwing and a creamy-white stripe above its eye.
Redwings were the first bird species which were proved to detect fruit using ultraviolet vision. This is because the waxy coatings of berries reflect UV light, making them more appealing to birds.
The Redwing is a small winter visiting thrush from Scandinavia and Iceland, usually arriving in late September and staying until March-April. The Scandinavian birds usually winter in southern Britain and the Icelandic birds in Scotland and Ireland - the Icelandic birds are slightly larger and darker than the Scandinavian birds.
Due to the tiny numbers that breed in the UK (usually less than 20) the redwing is classed as a Red List species of conservation concern. It is believed that climate change could ultimately cause the loss of this already small breeding population.
(Woodland trust)
Taken @ Kidwelly
Click on image for larger view