Having invited the Waxwings to feast on our firethorn (pyracantha) berries, it turns out that a solitary Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) has found the supply and a snow sanctuary in our front garden. Looking rather fed-up it has fluffed up its feathers against the cold and is rapidly working its way through the fruit of the firethorn.
Presumably, driven into more sheltered area because of the chills and snow out in the fields, those downy feathers are as fluffed as they can be.
Those nictating membranes (protective eyelids) are down much of the time in between snacks to protect its eyes from the snow flurries and the wind.
Fieldfares are true Thrushes along with Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, and Ring Ouzel (the ones you’re quite likely to see in the British Isles, there are dozens of other Turdus species around the world. Turdus is Latin for Thrush as is the other half of the Fieldfare’s scientific binomial, pilaris. So its name is basically Thrush thrush. At least its compatriate the Redwing gets “flank” as the second half of its name Turdus iliacus, to indicate the prominent red markings on its flanks when it is perched with wings folded back.
Here’s my video about the Fieldfare.