Confirm Mistle Thrush please - London UK (1 Viewer)

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Dec 4, 2012

• #1

I see both Mistle and Song Thrushes often, and I'm sure which is which 99.9% of the time. But every so often I get one that gives me doubts, so I upload it for confirmation |=)|

Reasons for Mistle:

Arrowheads on breast become splodges - Pale fringes to greater coverts - Ear Coverts - grey colouring

Thanks

 

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OlaB

Well-known member

• Dec 4, 2012

• #2

Sure is as you think Chris.

 

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Dec 4, 2012

• #3

Thanks Ola

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• Dec 4, 2012

• #4

Mistle Thrush for me too, just on the gestalt (though it's been years since I've seen one & FW my trans-Atlantic view's W).

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Dec 4, 2012

• #5

Yes, Mistle Thrush - look at the smaller head relative to body size, more 'open faced' appearance, greyer brown above, more bold splodgy spotting below (less aligned and V-shaped than in Song Thrush) and pale edged wing coverts.

I have a history here. In the early days of courting, ever the romantic, I tried to explain these distinctions to Mrs C (as she became). After a week I was delighted that she'd started to get it right. Imagine my disappointment when I realised all she'd been doing was remembering what the last bird had been as I'd unconsciously been alternately pointing out Mistle Thrush/Song Thrush/Mistle Thrush/Song Thrush etc. Nearly 40 years on she still can't tell the difference ..... although she can now ID Lesser Kestrel by call!

 

Last edited: Dec 4, 2012

ChrisKten

It's true, I quite like Pigeons

• Dec 4, 2012

• #6

Thanks fugl, John.

LOL at your proof of how smart women are, John |=)|

 

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Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Dec 4, 2012

• #7

But maybe that's because Lesser Kestrels do the cha-cha-cha...

 

Fozzybear

Ich bin ein Vogelbeobachter

• Dec 4, 2012

• #8

Some nice Mistle shots Chris. I don't think I'd noticed before that the spots high on the chest were arrow-shaped!