Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

OTHER NAMES: Storm-Cock, Thrice-thrush, Screech-thrush

Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") viscivorus ("mistletoe eating")

 Adult Mistle Thrush (subspecies T. v. viscivorus) at Geddington, Northants - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Turdus viscivorus viscivorus
Weight: 110-140g  /  Length: 27cm  /  Wingspan: 42-28cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Personally, I've found the Mistle Thrush to be the least easy to find of the resident thrushes, and indeed, also harder to find than both Redwing and Fieldfare. This may well be due to the decline in it's population. The Mistle Thrush is a large thrush, differentiated from the song thrush by drabber colours on top and a more contrasting difference between the pale belly and dark speckling. It is also more likely to appear in small groups than its counterpart.

Related Species:

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies:  T. v. viscivorus, T. v. deiichleri, T. v. bonapartei

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident breeding species (170,000 territories)

 - Birds seen in Geddington and a few assorted other locations.

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") iliacus ("of the flanks")

Adult Redwing (subspecies T. i. iliacus) at Geddington, Northants - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Turdus iliacus iliacus

Weight: 50-75g  /  Length: 20-24cm  /  Wingspan: 33-34.5cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The smallest British Thrush - the redwing is primarily a winter visitor - it arrives in huge numbers at the end of the autumn and can often be seen in large noisy flocks trying feeding on berries, often mixed with fieldfares. The main issue with this species is that it can be very flighty, and so the best photographs will almost certainly be achieved when you see it without it seeing you.  

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies: T. i. iliacus, T. i. coburni

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Very rare breeding resident (4-16 pairs) and common Winter visitor (690,000 birds)

 - Seen at sites including Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

OTHER NAMES: Thirstle, Throstle, Whistling Thrush

Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") philomelos ("nightingale")

Adult Song Thrush (subspecies T. p. clarkei) at Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Turdus philomelos clarkei
Weight: 50-107g  /  Length: 20-23.5cm  /  Wingspan: 33-36cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

After the blackbird, the song thrush is the most numerous of our resident thrushes - it is more delicate in size and appearance than it's relation the mistle thrush. It feeds on snails and can frequently be found bashing them against stones to break their shells. Apparently it is declining in the UK, but is still a regular sight in appropriate habitats.  As their name suggests they are fairly impressive singers, and their call can often help locate them in high trees.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies: T. p. hebridensis, T. p. clarkei, T. p. philomelos, T. p. nataliae  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common resident (1,144,000 territories)

 - Birds seen at various sites including Rutland Water, Geddington and Heligan 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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