Mistle Thrush
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| Turdus viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) is a common member of the thrush family Turdidae.
It is found in open woods and cultivated land over all of Europe and much of Asia. Many northern birds move south during the winter. The Mistle Thrush averages about 27 cm long, larger than the similar Song Thrush. The sexes are similar, with plain greyish brown backs and neatly round-spotted underparts. The breast has much less buff than the Song Thrush.
It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, and berries. A Mistle Thrush will defend a berry-bearing tree against other thrushes in winter. Migrating birds sometimes form small flocks.
They nest in trees, laying several eggs in a neat cup-shaped nest lined with grass.
The male sings its loud melodious song from a tree, rooftop or other elevated perch, often during bad weather or at night, and starting relatively early in the spring — hence the Mistle Thrush's old name of "Stormcock". The song is like a harder and simpler version of the Blackbird's. The alarm call is said to sound like a football rattle (a form of musical ratchet) or machine gun.
public domain image from a 1905 field guide
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Turdus viscivorus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
