| Mistle thrush - Turdus viscivorus - Family: Turdidae
 Mistle thrush - Turdus viscivorus© Bob GibbonsThe mistle thrush is a larger, greyer and more confident bird than the more familiar song thrush and has a loud, rattling call that is quite unlike that of its smaller relative. It has greyish-brown upperparts, densely-spotted underparts and in its noticeably bounding flight, which resembles that of a woodpecker, the white patches on the underwing and the white feathers on the edge of the tail are often clearly visible. The far-carrying, melancholy song, often delivered from the top of a tree or bush, can be heard throughout the winter and has earned this bird the alternative name of 'storm-cock'. Individuals may defend a single berry-bearing tree from other thrushes, sometimes leading to frenetic disputes when food is scarce. Both the common and scientific names reflect its fondness for berries: 'viscom' is a mistletoe and 'voro' is linked to the English word devour. Mistle thrushes nest quite high up, often in the exposed fork of a large tree such as ash, beech or cherry. FoodMainly invertebrates especially earthworms pulled from the ground. It is fond of berries which can provide a vital food source through the winter. A predator also of slugs and snails. PlantsAlder buckthorn, Apple, Bird cherry, Black currant, Buckthorn, Crab apple, Dog rose, Dogwood, Elder, Field rose, Guelder rose, Hawthorn, Holly, Ivy, Juniper, Midland hawthorn, Mistletoe, Pear, Pedunculate oak, Rowan, Sessile oak, Snowy mespile, Snowy mespile, Sweet briar, Wayfaring tree, Whitebeam, Wild cherry, Yew PreyBrown-lipped banded snail, Slugs and snails, Worms PredatorsSparrowhawk |
