It breeds in conifer and birch forest and tundra in northern Europe and Asia. It is strongly migratory, with many northern birds moving south during the winter. It is a very rare breeder in Great Britain and Ireland, but winters in large numbers in these countries.
Redwings nest in shrubs or on the ground, laying several eggs in a neat nest. Migrating and wintering birds often form large flocks, often with fieldfares.
The Redwing is similar in size to the Song Thrush. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects and earthworms in summer, and berries in winter.
This species is not closely related to the Red-winged Blackbird, a North American species, which is an icterid, family Icteridae.