Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush?

jennyb · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:48 PM

I can't make up my mind whether this is a mistle thrush or a song thrush. Can anyone help?

I think it is more likely a mistle thrush because of the white marks on its feathers at the back.

Sorry this picture is the best I could get. It did not want to come close.

Thanks,

Jenny

SteveA · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:03 PM

Mistle Thrush, Jenny.

Big, pot-bellied, smallish head on a longer neck, usually more upright, found out in the open more, spot shape on belly/breast different, shows white tail-corners in flight (which is often undulating), often greyer looking overall.

rlchew · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:11 PM

Another vote for Mistle Thrush.

Steve's description is spot on!

Richard

jennyb · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:14 PM

Great. Thanks a lot. The pictures in my book make them look virtually the same.

Jenny

Jonny · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

Big, pot-bellied, smallish head on a longer neck

Are you sure thats not Alan ?...........

Alan · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny

Are you sure thats not Alan ?...........

Well I never!

MistleAl

speckled wood · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2006, 12:40 AM

I vote for Mistle Thrush

Adam Cheeseman · #8 (**permalink**) 21-11-2006, 03:20 PM

In addition, the 'armpits' of a mistle thrush in flight are greyish white, in song thrush they are reddish brown.

Cheers,

Adam

ThePainter · #9 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 03:38 PM

Hi,
My general rule of thumb is that the mistle has more spots, is quieter and lives further away from us, but theres always those borderline cases.

I vote yours a mistle.