The Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a small bird in the Turdidae family of thrushes. It is related to the Song Thrush and the Mistle Thrush. 

The Fieldfare is mainly brown, with a brown back, dark-brown wings, dark-brown tail, and white underwings. Its wings are long and pointed. It has a bluish-grey crown, grey rump, and grey neck. Its chest and sides are spotted with dark-brown markings. It has a rounded head with dark-brown eyes. Its beak is short and yellowish. Its legs and feet are brown.

The male and female are similar in appearance, but the female has more brown feathers than the male. 

It grows to about 25 centimetres (10 inches) tall. 

The Fieldfare is native to countries in northern Europe and Asia. It prefers woodlands, scrublands, parks and gardens.

It is a migratory bird. It flies south during winter to warmer locations, usually in the United Kingdom, southern Europe, north Africa, and the Middle East.

It is omnivorous, eating insects, earthworms, snails, berries, fruit, grains, and seeds. It feeds on the ground.

The Fieldfare lives in small colonies. 

The female makes a cup-shaped nest, from dried grass and moss, in a tree, bush, or among rocks. She lays 5-6 eggs and sits on them (incubates them) until they hatch after 13-14 days.

The young, called chicks, are born blind and helpless. This is called altricial. Both parents feed the chicks. The chicks leave the nest after 14 days. 

Location of photographs: Tbilisi, Georgia

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM