- Ring Ouzel
Taxobox
name = Ring Ouzel
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
image_width = 250px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia =Turdidae
genus = "Turdus "
species = "T. torquatus"
binomial = "Turdus torquatus"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus,1758 The Ring Ouzel ("Turdus torquatus") is a
Europe an member of the thrush family Turdidae.It is the mountain equivalent of the closely-related
Blackbird , and breeds in gullies, rocky areas or scree slopes.It breeds in the higher regions of western and central Europe and also in the
Caucasus . Most populations are migratory, wintering in theMediterranean region.The Ring Ouzel is omnivorous, eating a wide range of
insect s,earthworm s and berries. It nests in bushes or amongst rocks, laying several pale blue eggs, mottled with brown, in a neat cup-shaped nest.It is territorial and normally seen alone or in pairs, although loose flocks may form on migration. When not breeding, several birds may also be loosely associated in good feeding areas, such as a fruiting tree, often with other thrushes.
The adult male is all black except for a white crescent on the breast and a yellowish bill. The wings have a silvery appearance due to white feather edgings. The male sings its loud and mournful song from trees or rocks.
The female is similar but duller, and younger birds often lack the breast crescent. The juvenile has brown
plumage .This species was first described by Linnaeus in his "Systema naturae" in 1758 under its current scientific name. [la icon cite book | last=Linnaeus | first=C | authorlink=Carolus Linnaeus | title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. | publisher=Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii). | date=1758| quote =T. nigricans, torque albo, rostro fiavescente. |pages=169]
"Ouzel" (or "ousel") is an old name for
Blackbird from Old English "osle" [ [http://www.kami.demon.co.uk/gesithas/birdlore/listsrc.html] List of Old English bird names] . "Ouzel" may also be applied to a group of superficially similar but unrelated birds, thedippers , the European representative of which is sometimes known as the Water Ouzel.As with the English name, the scientific name also refers to the male's obvious white neck crescent, being derived from the
Latin words "turdus", "thrush", and "torque", "torc " (neck ring).References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Clement and Hathaway, "Thrushes" ISBN 0-7136-3940-7
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