Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized passerine, considerably larger than Common Blackbird
– nocturnal migrant, migration may continue during the day

>> FLIGHT >>>>>

– at a greater distance sometimes difficult to ID, surprisingly similar to Fieldfare, can even be mistaken for Eurasian Jay
– bright “wingpits” and underwing-coverts usually easy to see, even if the bright belly is not yet visible
– usually small groups of 1-5 individuals, flocks of more than 10 normally only at migration hotspots, then quite uncoordinated and loose (often an important ID feature compared to Fieldfare)
– regular and quite slow wing beats, purposeful, non-hectic flight

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF0182, 05/06/2015, Jüterbog, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF137_MPU_PMA5545_101101_mthrush_d_helgoland
Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF0137, 30/12/2008, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF309_MPU_I1Q0715_130730_mtthrush_1W_d_hof
Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF0309, 30/07/2013, Hof, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF310_MPU_I1Q0711_130730_mtthrush_1W_d_hof
Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF0310, 30/07/2013, Hof, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF311_MPU_I1Q0716_130730_mtthrush_1W_d_hof
Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF0311, 30/07/2013, Hof, Germany, Mathias Putze


Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus
BIF2851, 07/10/2018, Helgoland, Germany, Roland Neumann

>> SOUND ID >>>>>


Mistle Thrush Turdus v. viscivorus, calls in flight
BIF0138, 02/09/2011, Pressel, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Common Blackbird (v)
Fieldfare (v) (a)
Song Thrush (v)
Redwing (v)

#songbird #passerine

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