Best time to see: mid Sep to mid Apr

Key facts

Similar to our song thrush except for its rufous flanks, visiting in winter from Scandinavia

Habitat: hedges, scrub, woods, occasionally gardens, where it can find berries or other food

Widespread winter visitor

Recognition

Like our song thrush, but with a bold eyebrow and rust-red flanks; 20–22 cm

Moves about in flocks working fields and bushes for food

Eats worms, snails and insects, haws and wild fruit, sometimes apples

Lifecycle

Nests sporadically in Scotland – will its range extend south as the climate warms?