Mistle Thrush

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Mistle Thrush in the UK

Mistle Thrush is a widespread resident, found in most of Britain and Ireland at all seasons. It is missing from the Outer Hebrides and Northern Isles. The UK estimate is 165,000 territories (2016). Numbers have fallen since the late 1970s, down 64% between 1967 and 2024, and the worsening decline moved it from the Amber to the Red List. It nests early, often from late February. After breeding, family parties join into loose flocks on open grassland in late summer.

Where and when to see a Mistle Thrush

Parks, playing fields, churchyards, large gardens, orchards, woodland edges and upland pasture with scattered trees. It feeds out in the open on short grass, further from cover than a Song Thrush. Listen from December onwards for birds singing from the very top of tall trees, often in wind and rain. In winter, look for a single bird guarding a holly, yew or mistletoe-laden tree and chasing off other thrushes.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Parkland, orchards.
Diet: Berries, invertebrates.
Field note: Sings in storms, the "stormcock".

How to identify a Mistle Thrush

Bigger than a Blackbird and noticeably larger, longer-tailed and paler than a Song Thrush. Cold grey-brown above. The underparts are whitish with bold, round black spots that spread over the belly. It stands very upright, with a pot-bellied look. In flight the underwings flash white and the outer tail feathers have white tips. Flight is strong and slightly undulating, with the wings closed for a moment between bursts of flaps. Juveniles are spotted with white above.

Call and song

The call is a dry, hard rattle, like a football rattle or a comb run along a table edge. The song is loud and far-carrying, like a Blackbird's but in short, simple phrases with pauses, and with a wistful tone. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Song Thrush: Song Thrush is smaller and warmer brown with arrow-shaped spots, orange-buff underwings and a song that repeats each phrase.
• Fieldfare: Fieldfare shares the white underwing but has a grey head and rump, a chestnut back and a 'chack-chack' call.

Related guide UK garden birds.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Mistle Thrush is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• BlackbirdCommon · Gardens
• RedwingCommon · Fields
• Song ThrushCommon · Gardens
• American RobinEpic · Gardens
• Black-throated ThrushEpic · Open woodland (very rare)
• Dusky ThrushLegendary · Woodland (very rare)

Tell it apart

Side-by-side ID guides: Song Thrush vs Mistle Thrush.

Mistle Thrush: quick answers

What is the difference between Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush?

Size and tone are the quick checks. Mistle Thrush is larger and greyer, with round spots and white underwings, and feeds far out on open grass. Song Thrush is smaller and browner, stays closer to cover and repeats each phrase of its song two or three times.

What does a Mistle Thrush eat?

Earthworms, insects and other invertebrates for most of the year. In autumn and winter it switches to berries, including holly, yew, rowan and mistletoe. A bird that defends a berry tree all winter can keep the crop to itself and tends to breed earlier.

Where can I see a Mistle Thrush in the UK?

Almost anywhere with tall trees next to short grass. Town parks and sports pitches are reliable. They are thinner on the ground than Blackbirds or Song Thrushes, so expect a pair or a family, not a crowd.

Kit that helps

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