Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
The Mistle Thrush is native to most of Europe and parts of North Africa and western and Central Asia.
It is resident in most of Europe but birds from the far north and east of its range migrate to southern Europe and North Africa in winter.
The Mistle Thrush's name, in English and Latin, comes from eating mistletoe berries.
It also eats other berries and insects. One bird will defend "its" berry tree against other thrushes.
The Mistle Thrush is larger and lighter-coloured than a Song Thrush and does not have a white belly.
Often seen on sports fields, they enjoy a game of footbaIl.
Some prefer to run with the ball.
Mistle Thrush with speckled young
Bizarre behaviour: Mistle Thrush appears to be feeding a Starling
Despite its melodious song, in keeping with its love of football its alarm call is like a
football rattle, often voiced from the top of the tallest tree, where the bird also acrobatically dives for insects
On top of 60 foot fir tree in my garden
where it sits in all weather (London, UK).
Last photo above by Alexandra Makhnina in Kazakhstan.
Links
Song Thrush