Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatus
The Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) is a uncommon thrush found in 59 countries, weighing about 109 g. The ring ouzel is a mainly European member of the thrush family Turdidae.
About the Ring Ouzel
The ring ouzel is a mainly European member of the thrush family Turdidae. It is a medium-sized thrush, 23–24 centimetres (9.1–9.4 in) in length and weighing 90–138 grams (3.2–4.9 oz). The male is predominantly black with a conspicuous white crescent across its breast. Females are browner and duller than males, and young birds may lack the pale chest markings altogether. In all but the northernmost part of its range, this is a high-altitude species, with three subspecies breeding in mountains from Ireland east to Iran. It breeds in open mountain areas with some trees or shrubs, the latter often including juniper and other treeline conifers, rowan, bilberry, heather, and hairy alpenrose. It…
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How to identify it
The ring ouzel is 23–24 centimetres (9.1–9.4 in) in length and weighs 90–138 grams (3.2–4.9 oz). The plumage of the male of the nominate race is entirely black except for a conspicuous white crescent on the breast, narrow greyish scaling on the upperparts and belly and pale edges to the wing feathers. The bill is yellow and the legs are greyish brown. The female resembles the male but is browner and with a duller breast band. Juveniles are like the female, but with a faint or non-existent breast crescent. Voice: The male ring ouzel sings from a low perch or occasionally in flight. The song consists of a repetition of 2–4 plaintive fluty notes, tri-ríí, tri-ríí, ti-ríí with pauses between repeats. The call is a loud tac-tac-tac, becoming harsher if the bird is alarmed. The contact call is a soft cherrr in flight. Males sing most frequently at dawn and sunset.
What the Ring Ouzel sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Lebanon.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, July, October, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ring Ouzel?
- The ring ouzel is 23–24 centimetres (9.1–9.4 in) in length and weighs 90–138 grams (3.2–4.9 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ring Ouzel?
- The Ring Ouzel is a medium sized bird weighing about 109 g.
- Where can you see a Ring Ouzel?
- The Ring Ouzel occurs in 59 countries, including Sweden, Norway, France, the United Kingdom and Belgium.
- What does a Ring Ouzel sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Ring Ouzel on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Ring Ouzel?
- The Ring Ouzel is most easily confused with the Creamy-bellied Thrush, the Black-billed Thrush and the Austral Thrush.
- Is the Ring Ouzel endangered?
- The Ring Ouzel is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ring Ouzel for real
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