Bird ID: Song or Mistle...? (1 Viewer)

theMusicMan

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2010

• #1

Hi All

I know I really should know this... but I'm afraid I am unable to distinguish between these species.

Here's two shots taken in my garden today, and are they;

1 - Song Thrush or Mistle Thrush
2 - the same bird...? (I appreciate that's a difficult one, but the one looks fatter than the other)

Me, I am guessing Song Thrush, both of them...



Apologies for the numptiness

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Dec 21, 2010

• #2

both song thrushes, the shapes of the spot and the warm buffy colour help distinguish.

 

Bananafishbones

Incoherently Rambling .....

• Dec 21, 2010

• #3

Song Thrush, much warmer colours with a buff to the wing bars rather than the Mistle Thrushs white. A tidier sleeker bird which shows in image 1

 

robinm

Registered User

• Dec 21, 2010

• #4

I agree with Nick for the reasons he gives.

 

Enji

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2010

• #5

Indeed a Song Thrush, in especially the first photo the arrowhead-shaped spots are very clear.
The second bird is not fatter, it's just more fluffed up. It's usually impossible to just look at a bird and tell how fat it is, the feathers hide it all.

 

theMusicMan

Well-known member

• Dec 21, 2010

• #6

Many thanks everyone, this is such a great resource - thank you.

Much appreciated.

 

Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• Dec 21, 2010

• #7

Song Thrush in your pics. One tip, when you see a potential Song/Mistle Thrush and it flies or lands, see if you can spot white outer tail feathers when the tail is spread. If so, you will have a Mistle Thrush.

 

Jimthetall

Castle Birder

• Dec 21, 2010

• #8

As well as mistle thrush seeming massive, if you look at the spots on the flanks on your song thrush, they merge into a stripe. Mistles are much spottier, just do a google image search for both species and you'll see what I mean.

Jim

 

steveo

King Midas in reverse

• Dec 21, 2010

• #9

I just found this handy comparison drawing. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BF7a8GKQt...UkBws/s1600-h/thrush-differences-complete.gif

 

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