This is a pale, black-spotted thrush - large, aggressive and powerful. It stands boldly upright and tend bounds across the ground while in flight, it has long wings and its tail has whitish edges, and the under-wings are white.
The Song Thrush has yellowish under-wings, and is less aggressive than the Mistle Thrush.
It is most likely to be noticed perched high at the top of a tree, singing its fluty song or giving its rattling call in flight. Generally they tend not to join in the dawn chorus, but rather sing on sunny mornings and afternoons. They nest in trees, laying several eggs in a neat cup-shaped nest lined with grass.
The Mistle Thrush is a common bird in the UK, found almost everywhere, It can be seen in woodland, parkland and gardens. The Mistle Thrush's closest relative is the similarly plumaged Song Thrush.
Number of broods
1
Number in Britain
400,000
Conservation Status UK
Amber
Status in UK
Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor
Length
27cm
Wingspan
45cm
Weight
130g
Habitat
Forest, woodland, towns
First Record
8th Century
Egg Size
30x22 mm
Egg Weight
7.8g
Clutch Size
4 eggs
Incubation
15-16 days
Fledging
14-17 days
First clutches laid
Late March
Age at First Breeding
1 year
Typical lifespan
3 years
Maximum Recorded Age
11 years, 4 months