Fieldfare
Turdus pilaris
The fieldfare is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. It breeds in woodland and scrub in northern Europe and across the Palearctic.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fieldfare
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Turdus
Fieldfare belongs to the family Turdidae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The fieldfare is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. It breeds in woodland and scrub in northern Europe and across the Palearctic. It is strongly migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in the British Isles, but winters in large numbers in the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of molluscs, insects and earthworms in the summer, and berries, grain and seeds in the winter.
The Fieldfare is experiencing population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss across its breeding and wintering ranges. Climate change is altering the timing of food availability and weather patterns, while urbanization continues to fragment suitable habitat.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Fieldfares in winter The fieldfare is a migratory species with a palearctic distribution. It breeds in northern Norway, northern Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Siberia as far east as Transbaikal, the Aldan River and the Tian Shan Mountains in North West China. Its winter range extends through western and southern Europe...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Fieldfare is experiencing population declines primarily due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss across its breeding and wintering ranges. Climate change is altering the timing of food availability and weather patterns, while urbanization continues to fragment suitable habitat.
Agricultural intensification and loss of traditional farming practices
Habitat fragmentation and loss of woodland edges
Changes in winter food sources and foraging areas
Climate change affecting food availability and breeding timing
Urbanization and development pressure
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fieldfare