Ring Ouzel / Turdus torquatus LC

The Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) is a medium-sized thrush, easily recognized by its dark plumage and striking white crescent across the chest. This elegant bird inhabits upland and mountain regions across Europe and parts of Asia. Its melodious song and shy nature make it a treasured sight among birdwatchers.

Species Overview

The Ring Ouzel measures about 23–26 cm in length and resembles a blackbird but can be distinguished by its lighter edges on feathers and the bright white ‘ring’ on its breast. Females and juveniles are duller and browner, often with a faint crescent marking.

• Body length: 23–26 cm
• Wingspan: up to 40 cm
• Weight: 90–130 g
• Plumage: dark brown to black with a white crescent
• Lifespan: up to 8 years

Habitat and Distribution

Ring Ouzels breed in mountainous and upland regions of northern and central Europe, from the British Isles to Scandinavia and the Caucasus. They prefer open landscapes with heather, rocky slopes, and scattered shrubs. During winter, they migrate to southern Europe and North Africa.

• Range: Europe and parts of Asia
• Habitat type: upland moorlands, mountain slopes, heaths
• Wintering grounds: Southern Europe, North Africa
• Migration type: long-distance migratory

Diet

The Ring Ouzel has an omnivorous diet. During spring and summer, it feeds mainly on insects, earthworms, and spiders. In autumn, it switches to berries and fruits, especially rowan, juniper, and bilberries.

• Main diet: insects, worms, spiders
• Additional food: berries, fruits, seeds
• Feeding type: omnivorous

Breeding

Breeding starts in May. The female builds a cup-shaped nest from grass, moss, and mud, usually low in a bush or on a rocky ledge. A clutch consists of 4–6 blue-green eggs, incubated by the female for about two weeks. Fledglings leave the nest roughly two weeks after hatching.

• Breeding season: May–July
• Clutch size: 4–6 eggs
• Nest materials: grass, moss, mud
• Nest location: shrubs, cliffs, mountain slopes

Song and Calls

The Ring Ouzel’s song is rich and flute-like, resembling the Blackbird but with shorter, more plaintive notes. You can listen to recordings of the Ring Ouzel’s voice directly on this page — no external links required.

Interesting Facts

• The white chest crescent gives the species its name — “torquatus” means “collared” in Latin.
• Ring Ouzels are often called “mountain blackbirds” due to their similar shape and song.
• They migrate thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.
• Their numbers have declined in parts of Europe due to habitat loss and climate change.

Conservation Status

The Ring Ouzel is not globally threatened but is considered a species of conservation concern in several European countries. Habitat loss, grazing pressure, and changes in upland vegetation have led to population declines in recent decades.