Telling thrushes apart?

[terste]

I know this is probably really silly but, unfortunately, we do not get many Thrushes locally. In the recent cold weather we have had one visiting our feeding stations and I have taken a couple of photos. How can you tell whether its a Mistle Thrush or Song Thrush? I have not heard its song and the info on on the RSPB web site did not settle the matter for me.

Would be grateful for any pointers.

Thanks

[Astra]

Your photos are of a Song Thrush.

I always look at the speckles first - the songthrush usually has "arrow" shaped speckles running in vertical lines down from it's throat, and a Mistle thrush has more rounded "oval" shaped speckles in a more random pattern.

Songthrushes are smaller and browner.
Mistle thrushes are larger, stand more upright and and have paler/greyer heads/back..

Not very technical I know but it works for me

[pammosley]

Hi terste, welcome to WAB.
I think it`s a song thrush. The dots on the front look like arrows. Mistle thrush dots look more like splodges! I`m sure that there are more distinguishing features that other people will tell you about

I must type quicker!

[John]

Your bird is a Song Thrush.

I have attached some excellent photos from members Willing to Learn & Ollie (Song Thrush) & Jon & Willing to learn again (Mistle Thrush).

Note the arrowhead type markings on the underside of the Song Thrush (the same as yours) as opposed to the more rounded markings of the Mistle Thrush. Also note that the Mistle is a larger and greyer looking bird with a face not so well defined as a Song Thrush.

Song Thrush


Mistle Thrush


John

[big bill]

Hello terste your bird is definately a Song Thrush the spots on the chest are the give away they are arrow shaped were as on the Mistle they are more blotchy,nice pic well done

[Jason Green]

Hi Terste,

Well, I'm sure you don't need another to say Song Thrush! Behaviour-wise, a Mistle Thrush will run short distances and stop, standing tall and upright. Facially, as John says the MT is greyer and the eyes often have a pale margin.

Mistle Thrush
by Barquar (Janet), showing pale eye area

Take care,

Jason

[aeshna5]

The top bird from the side profile looks like a continental race Song Thrush to me, with it's colder plumage tones. There seem to be quite a few of these about at the moment.

[terste]

Thanks to everyone for their time in answering my question, especially for pointing out the photos, I have a much clearer idea now.