Ring ouzel

The ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) is a member of the thrush family that breeds in the more mountainous areas of the British Isles but does not winter here. It can however be seen on the east and south coasts of England during its spring and autumn migrations. Its preferred habitat is pine woods on mountain slopes, often near swift-flowing streams. Outside Britain, it is found in Scandinavia and the Alps, Pyrenees and Carpathian mountains. The ring ouzel winters in southern Europe and North Africa.

Ring ouzels have declined in number in recent years, putting them on the “red list” of species under threat.

Appearance

The ring ouzel is around 23-25 centimetres (9-10 inches) in length, which makes it slightly smaller than the blackbird, which it resembles in several respects. It is, however, slimmer in build and has longer wings and tail.

Its plumage is black or brown (males being darker than females) with scale-like patterning on the upper wings. The females also show scaling on the body. However, the feature that most distinguishes the ring ouzel from other dark birds is the prominent white patch on the upper chest. This is crescent-shaped, broadest on the front of the chest and tapering to a point on either side above the wings.

Behaviour

The voice is a loud hollow rattle or chatter, but the ring ouzel also has a song of two to four shrill piping notes followed by a chuckle.

The ring ouzel is a shy bird which will hide between rocks if danger threatens. Otherwise it will perch on boulders or trees or fly in short bursts from one vantage point to another.

Food consists of insects, larvae, molluscs and worms, with berries and soft fruits eaten in the autumn.

Breeding

Ring ouzels arrive at their breeding grounds in March and leave again in September. They build a somewhat untidy nest, either low in a tree or on the ground, from twigs, stalks and grasses. Ground nests may be hidden between rocks. The clutch of four or five eggs is incubated for around 14 days, mostly by the hen bird. Both birds feed the chicks, for up to 16 days in the nest and then for a further two weeks or so after they have left the nest and concealed themselves among nearby rocks.

Only after the young birds are fully independent will the parents build a new nest and raise a second brood.

© John Welford