FIELDFARE, furdus pilaris, one of the thrushes and a com mon winter visitor to the British Isles. In spring it nests in Scandinavian and Russian birch-forests, migrating to southern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa in winter. It is gre garious in habit and somewhat resembles the missel thrush (T. viscivorus) in appearance. The nest, placed high up in a tree, is similar to that of the blackbird (T. merula) , as are the eggs. The song is low and poor, the call note harsh and loud. It feeds upon worms, slugs and insect larvae, adding, in hard weather, hips, haws and other berries.
Structurally very like the fieldfare, but differing in appearance and habits is the North American Planesticus migratorius, called the robin (q.v.), because of its ruddy breast and familiar habits. It is essentially a migrant, ranging from Greenland to Guatemala and almost everywhere an abundant species. It has a pleasant song and is of great service as a destroyer of insects.