Song or Mistle

[camo]

Hi

I and I suspect many others have always struggled to tell the difference between a Song and a Mistle Thrush. I have read the stuff about the dots versues arrows know the Mistle is bigger but still struggle. Can someone tell me a cast iron way of telling the difference. To nail my cap to the post I think this is a Song thrush.

Roy

[Astra]

Yes, that's a song thrush.

It has arrow shaped spots pointing towards the throat, whereas the Mistle has horizontal oval shaped spots and a greyer coloured head and back.

Compare your picture with this one of a Mistle.

[ellen h]

So have I got this right?
Sorry not very good photos....

Song thrush


Mistle thrush

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by ellen h

So have I got this right?
Sorry not very good photos....

Song thrush


Mistle thrush

Yes, they are correctly named!

[ellen h]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Yes, they are correctly named!

Thanks
ellen

[camo]

Hi Aeshna Ellen and Astra

Thank you so its spots versues arrows with the songster being the Jailbird.

Roy

[Astra]

Originally Posted by camo

Hi Aeshna Ellen and Astra

Thank you so its spots versus arrows with the songster being the Jailbird.

Roy

Yep, you got it!!

I remember being totally confused to start with but once you've got the hang of seeing those arrows and spots it becomes much easier.

Here's another Songthrush

[RoyW]

I can't say that I've ever really bothered looking at the shape of the spots. If you are going to use this you need to be aware that Mistle Thrushes can have some arrow shaped spots - particularly on the upper breast.

Song Thrushes are 'warm' looking birds with warm brown upperparts and (usually) yellow-buff colours on the breast and flanks. Mistle Thrushes look much 'colder' with greyish upperparts and typically whiter underparts. Mistle Thrushes also have pale edges to the wing feathers (which often gives them a pale panel in the wing) and white corners on the tail (visible as they fly away!). Calls are also very useful - Mistle usually gives a machine gun like rattle, Song gives a soft 'Tsip'.
Once you do get to know them you will probably wonder why you had a problem!

Roy.

[RobinP]

Very useful info that, I don't take too much notice of the spots either. Mistles always look bigger and tend to seen on the ground in an upright stance while Songs are usually seen in trees except when feeding. I find it more difficult to tell Mistle from Fieldfare than Song thrush but maybe that's just me

[camo]

Thank you all for the information I think I am now ready for the Thrush challenge

Roy