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Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorus

With its bold speckled breast and fearless defense of food sources, this stocky thrush can be spotted across woodlands and gardens in Europe and Asia.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Mistle Thrush is a large, stocky thrush with greyish-brown upperparts and a white underside marked with bold, dark spots. Its head features a slight greyish tinge, and its long tail has white corners visible in flight. Legs are yellowish-brown, and the bill is dark grey-brown.

Both sexes look similar, with juveniles showing a more spotted appearance on their upperparts. The bird's plumage remains consistent throughout the year, with no significant seasonal changes.

The underside of the wings is white, which is a key way of identifying the species from the Song Thrush, which has buffish-orange underwings.

Size

Length

26cm to 29cm

Wingspan

45cm to 50cm

Weight

93g to 167g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Buff

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Brown Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Mistle Thrush can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Mistle Thrush can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Mistle Thrush can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Mistle Thrush is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Mistle Thrushes inhabit many wooded habitats across Europe and parts of Asia. They prefer open woodlands, parklands, and large gardens with scattered trees. These birds are also found in orchards and hedgerows.

In the UK, they are resident year-round, while northern and eastern populations may migrate south for winter. They are widespread across Britain and Ireland, adapting well to human-modified landscapes.

Elevation Range

Up to 600 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Mistle Thrush. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Mistle Thrush demonstrates considerable agility, particularly in its ground foraging behaviour. Its ability to run and pause in an alert upright stance suggests quick reflexes and manoeuvrability. Their capacity to perch on high branches and navigate through various wooded habitats also indicates good agility.

Strength 65

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a large, robust thrush, the Mistle Thrush possesses above-average strength for its size. This is evident in its ability to defend fruit-bearing trees against other birds and its capacity to build sturdy nests high up in trees. However, it's not exceptionally strong compared to larger bird species.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Mistle Thrushes show high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from open woodlands to urban parks and gardens. Their ability to switch diets seasonally, nesting in diverse locations, and adapting to human-modified landscapes demonstrates their flexible nature. Their presence across a wide elevation range further supports this adaptability.

Aggressiveness 85

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Mistle Thrushes are renowned for their bold and aggressive behaviour, particularly in defending food sources and nesting areas. Their fierce protection of fruit-bearing trees and willingness to confront potential predators indicate a high level of aggression. This trait is a key aspect of their survival strategy.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Mistle Thrush exhibits good endurance, as evidenced by its ability to sing from treetops even during stormy weather (earning it the nickname "Stormcock"). Their partial migratory behaviour in some populations also suggests decent endurance. However, they are not known for exceptionally long-distance flights or extreme feats of stamina.

Diet

Mistle Thrushes primarily feed on invertebrates, including worms, snails, spiders, insects and their larvae. They also consume various fruits, particularly berries and mistletoe berries, which they fiercely defend. In winter, they may switch to a more fruit-based diet when invertebrates are scarce.

Behaviour

Mistle Thrushes are known for their bold and aggressive behaviour. They fiercely defend fruit-bearing trees and bushes against other birds. They often perch conspicuously on high branches, especially during their breeding season.

These birds typically forage on the ground, running and pausing in an alert, upright stance.

Vocalisation

The Mistle Thrush has a distinctive, far-carrying song consisting of short, repeated phrases with brief pauses. It's often described as a loud, fluty warble, "chur-chur-trrrrrr-chur-chur."

Their alarm call is a harsh, rattling "chack-chack-chack," giving rise to their nickname "Stormcock" for singing during rough weather.

Nesting & Breeding

Mistle Thrushes begin their breeding season in early spring, with males establishing territories through song. Pairs often form long-term bonds. They typically nest in the fork of a tree or on a branch, sometimes quite high up (up to 30ft).

The nest is a sturdy cup made of twigs, grass, and moss, lined with finer materials. Females lay 3-5 pale blue or greenish eggs with reddish-brown spots. Both parents share incubation duties.

Incubation lasts about 12-15 days, carried out solely by the female, with chicks fledging after another 14-16 days. Mistle Thrushes often raise two broods per season, fiercely defending their nesting area from potential predators.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Mistle Thrush populations have declined in some areas, particularly in the UK. Habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices are potential threats. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable woodland and parkland habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

13,750,000 - 29,800,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Mistle Thrushes in open woodlands, parks, and large gardens
  • Listen for their distinctive rattling call, often given from treetops
  • Observe their aggressive behaviour when defending food sources
  • In the UK, watch for them singing from high perches, even in stormy weather

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Stormcock

Family:

Turdidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Predators

Main predators of Mistle Thrushes include Sparrowhawks, cats, and corvids such as Magpies and Jays, which may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Mistle Thrushes get their name from their fondness for mistletoe berries.
  2. They are known as "Stormcocks" for their habit of singing from treetops during stormy weather.
  3. Other names include 'Jeremy Joy' because it sings early in the year (thought to be a play on the phrase ‘January joy’) and ‘Big Mavis’, an old English dialect word for a thrush.
  4. Mistle Thrushes are one of the earliest nesting birds in Europe, sometimes starting as early as February.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Turdus viscivorus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22708829A87878799.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC

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