Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush: Spotting the Differences

Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush: Spotting the Differences

The song thrush and mistle thrush are two different species in the thrush family that are often confused by birdwatchers. This is because they both share similarities in their habits and appearance. For example, both of these birds have mottling on their breasts, and both can be found in gardens around the country feeding on lawns and in bushes with berries.

  • The main differences between the two birds are that song thrushes have a rounder appearance and have lighter breasts with markings that look like upside-down hearts or arrowheads.
  • Mistles thrushes appear lighter and almost grey at first glance.
  • The breast of a mistle thrush also has harsher markings that look like thorns.

It's unlikely that you'll confuse these two with any other birds, but on occasion, female Blackbirds can be paler and have some streaking on the upper parts of their breasts. The best way to distinguish if it's a blackbird would be to look at the legs, as legs of a blackbird tend to be a reddish-brown or dark. Mistle and Song Thrushes both have paler coloured legs.

<p><strong>Mistle Thrush</strong></p>

Mistle Thrush

<p><strong>Song Thrush</strong></p>

Song Thrush

Comparison table

FeatureMistle ThrushSong Thrush
SizeLarger, length around 27 cm (10.6 inches)Smaller, length around 23 cm (9 inches)
WeightTypically around 100-140 gramsUsually around 50-107 grams
AppearancePale grey-brown upperpartsOlive-brown upperparts
Heavily spotted underparts, spots are round and boldUnderparts with arrow-shaped spots
SongLoud, far-carrying and flute-like; less musical than Song ThrushMelodious, repeating phrases 2-4 times, very musical
HabitatGardens, parks, woodlands, prefers more open areasMore dense habitats like thickets, hedgerows, and dense gardens
DistributionAcross Europe and into Asia; parts of North Africa in winterEurope, Asia, and North Africa; migratory in northern areas
BreedingEarly breeder, nests in trees or shrubs, often in exposed locationsNests in dense shrubs or hedges, more concealed
DietOmnivorous: berries, fruits, invertebratesMainly invertebrates, some berries and fruits
BehaviourBold and solitary, can be aggressive defending berries in winterMore secretive and less confrontational
Conservation StatusGenerally stable but varies regionallyWidespread and common, some decline due to habitat loss
Identification TipsLarger size and bolder spotsDistinctive song and smaller, more delicate appearance
Upright stance, often seen in openMore likely to be seen in cover, less aggressive

About the Song Thrush

The song thrush is mainly brown all over with lighter colourings on their breasts. These breasts have darker spots, which look a bit like an arrowhead or upside-down heart. These birds are smaller in size than a blackbird and, compared to the mistle thrush, are more rounded in appearance.

The tail shares the same colour as the upperparts, and compared to the mistle thrush; the song thrush has no white outer tail feathers. Under the wing is a rusty-buff colour - this can sometimes extend down the flanks of the bird. The wing feathers have an orange-buff colour on the edges. Males and females look similar.

The song thrush produces a repetitive song with notes like ‘seoo, seoo, seoo, tidic, tidic, tidic, tew, tew, tew.’ The call is comparable to the clicking sound a bicycle wheel makes whilst spinning around.

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelas

Song Thrush

Length:

20cm to 23cm

Wingspan:

33cm to 36cm

Weight:

50g to 107g

About the Mistle Thrush

The mistle thrush is larger than a blackbird in size and is much lighter in its colourings at first glance, and almost appear grey. The spots on the breast look more like thorns. Spots on the flanks and belly appear much more round compared to the song thrush.

The colour of the tail usually contrasts will the lighter lower back and rump. Tails also have outer edges that are paler. Under the wings is a white colour, and wingtips are white on the edges. Male and females have a similar appearance.

On the ground, mistle thrushes can usually be seen looking alert in an upright posture.

The mistle thrush song is fairly similar to the blackbird but is much shorter and has more of a gloomy tone. The call has been compared to the noise an old-fashioned football rattle makes, as it's a dry rattling sound.

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorus

Mistle Thrush

Length:

27cm to 29cm

Wingspan:

42cm to 48cm

Weight:

100g to 150g

Which is the most common?

The most common between the two is the song thrush. This is because the song thrush has an estimated breeding population of approximately 1 million. The mistle thrush, on the other hand, is estimated around a fifth of this figure.

So statistically, more often than not, you'll be looking at a song thrush in your garden.

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