Mistle Thrush - Turdus Viscivorus

Mistle Thrush (click to enlarge)	Identification The Mistle Thrush, or Missel Thrush, is bigger and paler than a Song Thrush and has bolder spotting on its breast and belly. The upperparts of the Mistle Thrush are grey-brown. The breast and flanks are a pale buff with bold black spots. The Mistle Thrush's alarm call is like a football rattle or machine gun. Their dreamy song is loud and far reaching.

Nesting The bulky grass-lined nest of grass, roots, moss, leaves and earth is built by the female, usually in the fork of a tree but also in shrubs and walls. Breeding starts in February to May and consists of 2 clutches of 3-6 eggs.

Food The Mistle Thrush's diet is the same as the Song Thrush's: worms, insects and berries, but not snails.

Many thanks to British Garden Birds for the information on this page.