Redwing
Turdus iliacus
Habitat
The Redwing lives as a breeding bird from northern and eastern Europe to Siberia. This bird species is additionally found in western and southern Europe, in North Africa, near the Black Sea, near the Caspian Sea and in the adjacent part of southwestern Asia. However, the Redwing does not breed in these areas.
During the breeding season, its natural habitat consists of forests, lowland open areas and relatively low hills. The Redwing prefers river basins, floodplains of open deciduous forests, mixed forest edges with fields and marshes, regeneration forests with tall shrubs and considerable undergrowth, clearings in old-growth forests and thickets along banks. In addition, this bird species likes Willow Tundra, Birch Tundra, parks, gardens and thinned forests with grasslands around buildings.
This bird species winters in open forests, in orchards and near thickets. Nearby, the Redwing will look for berry-bearing shrubs and grasslands. Because of this, you often see the Redwing in the Netherlands in meadows, near orchards, in forests, in parks and in gardens.
Appearance
Diet
During the breeding season, the Redwing feeds on invertebrates. During fall and winter, seeds and berries are the main food source.
Migratory bird in the Netherlands
The Redwing does not breed in the Netherlands. This bird species occurs in the Netherlands as a migrant and winter visitor in very large numbers. The number of wintering birds is between 25,000 and 100,000 individuals. The number of passerines is between 200,000 to 1,000,000 individuals.
From late September the migration of winter visitors arrives in the Netherlands, where large groups can be seen. These large groups leave around late March to early April back towards the north.
How can you help the Redwing?
Since the Redwing does not breed in the Netherlands, you do not need to install a nest box in the garden for this bird species. However, you can give the Redwing a helping hand during the winter by placing (rotting) fruit in your garden. You can also plant native bushes with berries in the garden, which the Redwing can feed on.
Eurasian wren
Troglodytes troglodytes
Habitat
The Eurasian wren is found throughout Europe, but not in the far north. Its habitat consists of deciduous forests, mixed forests, densely populated suburbs, small-scale farmlands, wooded banks, estates, cemeteries, city parks and gardens, well-wooded suburbs, heaths and offshore islands with very sparse vegetation. This bird species prefers dense shrubs, hedges and hedgerows as vegetation.
Appearance
Diet
The Eurasian wren feeds on invertebrates. This bird species sometimes supplements its diet with berries and seeds.
Breeding
In the Netherlands, the breeding season starts around mid-April and lasts through July. The Eurasian wren has 2 clutches of eggs per year.
The male makes 3 to 4 nests, one of which the female chooses to nest in. The nest is shaped like a dome with an opening on the side. The nest consists of sticks, grass, moss and fibers. The male builds the nest in an old tree stump, woodpecker hole or rock crevice. Still, the Eurasian wren has been known to choose odd or man-made locations, such as the pocket of a hanging jacket. The female will line the inside of the chosen nest with feathers and hair.
The female lays 3 to 9 eggs and incubates them in 16 days. Both parents feed and protect the chicks. After 14 to 19 days, the young fly out. After this, the parents feed the young for another 9 to 18 days.
How can you help the Eurasian wren?
You can help the Eurasian wren by hanging a nest box or nest pouch in your yard. You place the nest box or pouch in a shrub at a maximum height of 1 m. Make sure that the nest box or pouch is in a quiet and sheltered place. The entrance opening should face east or north and be free of twigs so that the approach route remains clear.
Because the Eurasian wren is a relatively small bird species, the nest box or pouch need not be large. A nesting box with a width and depth of 9 cm and a height of 15 cm is sufficient for this bird species. In the nest box, the Wren will eventually build the nest. A nest pouch already has the natural shape of a wren’s nest. The nest pouch should have a width and depth of approximately 10 cm and a height of 24 cm. The entrance opening should be at least 27 mm.
Since a female wants to choose between several nests, we recommend that you hang several nest boxes or pouches in the garden.