Fieldfare

Turdus pilaris

Nottinghamshire, England - January 2011

Fieldfare are common birds that breed throughout most of northern Europe and Siberia. They are particularly abundant in Fennoscandia, where densities of over 500 pairs per km2 occur and the overall European population is estimated to be between 20-36 million pairs.

Nottinghamshire, England - January 2011

Most thrushes are solitary during the breeding season, but Fieldfares often nest colonially to reduce the risk of nest predation. When predators, such as crows, get close to the colony the Fieldfares attack it en masse, dive-bombing it and defacating with incredible accuracy. If a predatory bird gets plastered with too much sticky faeces, its feathers become useless and it loses the ability to fly, increasing the risk of itself becoming prey.

Lothian, Scotland - January 2006

In the winter, the northern populations migrate to the warmer climes of western and southern Europe, north Africa and the Middle East where they frequently form large flocks.

Lothian, Scotland - January 2006