Mistle Thrush

The Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus), a robust bird of the Turdidae family, graces much of Europe, temperate Asia, and North Africa with its presence. This large thrush, with its pale grey-brown upper parts and a greyish-white chin and throat, is a sight to behold. Its underparts are a pale yellow and off-white, adorned with black spots. Both sexes share this plumage, and the bird's three subspecies exhibit only minimal differences.

Identification Tips

The Mistle Thrush is the largest thrush native to Europe, measuring 27–28 cm in length with an 18-inch wingspan. It can be identified by its stocky posture, pale grey-brown upperparts, and spotted yellowish-buff breast. The long tail with white-tipped outer feathers and the white underwing coverts are distinctive. The bill is blackish with a yellowish base, and the legs and feet are yellowish-brown.

Habitat

This bird is found in open woods, parks, hedges, and cultivated lands. It adapts to a variety of arboreal habitats, including forests and town parks, and in southern regions, it frequents upland coniferous woodlands.

Distribution

The Mistle Thrush is a year-round resident in much of its range, with northern and eastern populations migrating south for the winter. It breeds across Europe and Asia, with some populations residing in North Africa.

Behaviour

The Mistle Thrush is known for its territorial nature, especially in winter when it defends food sources such as mistletoe clumps or holly trees. It is often seen as individuals or pairs, and families may forage together in late summer.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a loud, melodious series of fluted whistles, delivered with such power that it can be heard up to 2 km away. The main call is a dry chattering "krrrr," louder when alarmed.

Breeding

The Mistle Thrush is monogamous, with breeding commencing in mid-March in southern regions. The nest, built by the female, is a large cup of sticks and mud, lined with fine grass. Clutches typically consist of three to five eggs, incubated mainly by the female for 12–15 days. There are normally two broods per year.

Similar Species

The Mistle Thrush can be distinguished from the smaller and more melodious Song Thrush by its larger size, paler plumage, and less varied song.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of invertebrates, seeds, and berries, with a preference for mistletoe, holly, and yew fruits. The bird plays a crucial role in the propagation of mistletoe by excreting its seeds onto branches where they can germinate.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Mistle Thrush as Least Concern, thanks to its high numbers and extensive range. However, there has been a small decline in recent decades, possibly due to changes in agricultural practices.

In Culture

The Mistle Thrush has been a symbol in culture for centuries, from Erasmus's proverbs to Renaissance art, and even in modern music and literature, reflecting its enduring presence in human history and imagination.