Interesting facts: When disturbed, the shy ring ouzel flies out of sight in a straight-line flight. It breeds mainly in the Alps, from where it returns to its winter quarters in North Africa from late summer onwards. The female builds its typical thrush nest relatively low into needle trees or bushes. The nest is built from twigs, grass, moss and roots. The male can be heard singing early in the morning still in complete darkness.

Characteristics: Body and size similar to a blackbird, plumage mainly in sooty black, the male with a clearly distinguished white, the female brown-white neckband, abdominal area and tile-like on the flanks, eyes yellow; legs and feet dark grey

Body length: 20 to 30 cm (blackbird length)

Distribution: in Middle Europe alpine coniferous forests