Ring Ousel
The Ring Ousel is a member of the thrush family and is the upland and mountain equivalent of the closely related Blackbird.
"Ousel" or "ouzel" is an old name for the Blackbird from the Old English osle. "Ousel" may also be applied to a group of superficially similar but unrelated birds, the Dippers, the European representative of which is sometimes known as the Water Ousel. The scientific name Turdus torquatus also refers to the male's obvious white neck crescent, being derived from the Latin words turdus meaning "thrush" and torquatus meaning "collared".
The Ring Ousel is slightly smaller and slimmer than a Blackbird. The adult male is all black except for a white crescent on the breast and a yellowish bill. The wings have a silvery appearance due to white feather edgings. The female is similar but duller and younger birds often lack the breast crescent. The juvenile has brown plumage.
The Ring Ousel breeds in the higher regions of western and central Europe and also in the Caucasus and in the Scandinavian mountains. Most populations are migratory and winter in the Mediterranean region. It is declining in parts of its range.
In the UK the Ring Ousel arrives in late March and April and leaves again in September. It breeds in upland areas of Scotland, northern England, north west Wales and Dartmoor. On spring and autumn migration it may be seen away from its breeding areas, often on the east and south coasts of the UK.
The Ring Ousel is territorial and normally seen alone or in pairs, although loose flocks may form on migration. When not breeding, several birds may also be loosely associated in good feeding areas, often with other thrushes.
The Ring Ousel is omnivorous and eats a wide range of food such as insects, earthworms, small rodents, reptiles, fruit and berries.
Date: 7th May 2017
Location: Nant Ffrancon, Gwynedd
"Ousel" or "ouzel" is an old name for the Blackbird from the Old English osle. "Ousel" may also be applied to a group of superficially similar but unrelated birds, the Dippers, the European representative of which is sometimes known as the Water Ousel. The scientific name Turdus torquatus also refers to the male's obvious white neck crescent, being derived from the Latin words turdus meaning "thrush" and torquatus meaning "collared".
The Ring Ousel is slightly smaller and slimmer than a Blackbird. The adult male is all black except for a white crescent on the breast and a yellowish bill. The wings have a silvery appearance due to white feather edgings. The female is similar but duller and younger birds often lack the breast crescent. The juvenile has brown plumage.
The Ring Ousel breeds in the higher regions of western and central Europe and also in the Caucasus and in the Scandinavian mountains. Most populations are migratory and winter in the Mediterranean region. It is declining in parts of its range.
In the UK the Ring Ousel arrives in late March and April and leaves again in September. It breeds in upland areas of Scotland, northern England, north west Wales and Dartmoor. On spring and autumn migration it may be seen away from its breeding areas, often on the east and south coasts of the UK.
The Ring Ousel is territorial and normally seen alone or in pairs, although loose flocks may form on migration. When not breeding, several birds may also be loosely associated in good feeding areas, often with other thrushes.
The Ring Ousel is omnivorous and eats a wide range of food such as insects, earthworms, small rodents, reptiles, fruit and berries.
Date: 7th May 2017
Location: Nant Ffrancon, Gwynedd
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Also in: Thrushes
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