Song Thrush vs Mistle Thrush: How to Tell Them Apart

The Song Thrush is not as big as the Blackbird and is also smaller than the Mistle Thrush; its tail is quite short, it is brown above, and it is paler below. The flanks and breast have small black dots. The tail is brown, the wings are orange underneath with a slightly orange bar, and the breast has a faint yellow tinge. Juveniles who have just begun to fly resemble adults, but their markings are not as clear and the upperparts have pale streaks.

Prefers habitat with a range of open lands and thick vegetation, and also makes use of trees and bushes. May be found in gardens and woodlands, where it feeds beneath trees and can make a quick dash for cover.

The song is far-reaching and melodic, and is made up of as much as 100 short, repetitive phrases. Usually sings in the daytime and as the sun is going down, predominately between March and July. Has a 'tik' call used in flight.

The Mistle Thrush has a longer tail and a bigger wing span than the Song Thrush. It is greyish brown above, the cheeks are pale buffish with dark marks, the flanks are tinged with orange, the outer tail feathers have white tips, and there is a hint of a white wing-bar. It is pale underneath but adorned with big, vivid, dark spots. When flying, it is white beneath the wings. Juveniles are similar to adults, but they are spotted white on their backs and they have pale heads.

The Mistle Thrush prefers woods with a variety of nesting and singing trees, and places with short grass where it can feed. May be flexible in its habitat as it seeks food outside of breeding season.

Has a song with varied, short phrases, punctuated with long breaks. Has a rattly call when disturbed.