The Mistle Thrush
The Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus
The Mistle Thrush is different from its cousin, the Song Thrush, although both are beautifully speckled, the Mistle Thrush is paler, bigger, bolder and brassier.
In flight its wings are long and have a white flash on them.
The Mistle Thrush is dumpy and powerful, stands upright and bounds across the ground energetically, compared to its rarer, shy and tentative cousin, the Song Thrush.
Its song is less attractive – more fluty, and when startled it lets out a series of harsh clattering notes.
Why is it called the Mistle Thrush? Quite simply back in 1600 when birds were being given names, it was called the Mistle Thrush because it loved eating mistle berries.
Regrettably like all Thrushes its population is declining, and it is now on the Red List.
Thrushes are difficult to entice to the bird table but are always grateful for half an apple, left on the ground, particularly in very cold snaps.