Can thrushes have a red breast?

[kaz]

I saw what I thought was my first thrush of the year on the lawn today - right size, right stance and movement but when it turned round it had a red speckled breast.
Why?

[gez]

It was poss a redwing kaz...

[Steve149c]

Possibly a Redwing Turdus iliacus these have the appearance of a Thrush, however they have reddy orange underneath the wings on the belly. Granted its abit late in the year for them - but you never know.

Steve

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

If it's further North in Scotland then it could possibly be a breeding Redwing. Also could be one that hasn't left yet further south

[rolf]

Or possibly a Fieldfare as per my avatar, but they are not normally seen at this time of year South of Manchester, not sure where you are.

[kaz]

Thanks for the replies - I'll Google/image the ones that you have suggested and see if I can recognise it

[kaz]

Looks like it could have been a fieldfare (definitely not a redwing).
We live in North Wales - does that sound likely?

[martin bevan]

hello kas i live in south wales and i had a fieldfare last week. it was singing and i have never seen one this late before.

[Adam Cheeseman]

I'm not saying it's not a fieldfare, but they are noticeably bigger than song thrushes and surely you would have noticed the grey back and head of a fieldfare instead of the warm brown of a song thrush. Song Thrushes do have a reddish wash to their chest/breast areas which can vary in individuals.

Cheers,

Adam

[kaz]

You're probably right Adam