The Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush.
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| Song Thrush |
Both of these birds are resident at Corkagh and can be very difficult to tell apart. The Mistle Thrush is taller, and stands with a very upright pose while the Song Thrush is smaller and rounder. The markings on the Song Thrushes breast are like arrows pointing upwards towards its throat while the Mistle Thrush has rounder, messier marks.
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| Mistle Thrush |
The Song Thrush has a distinctive song that can be heard across Corkagh, it is a series of notes each repeated 3 or 4 times, while the Mistle Thrushes song is described as a melancholic whistle.
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| Song Thrush |
If you have a Song Thrush visit your garden as I had recently you might notice empty snail shells scattered around. The Song Thrush prefers worms of course, but in dry weather or during winter the snail provides a nourishing meal. In order to access the meat inside the Thrush will bang the shell repeatedly against a stone. The Mistle Thrush is unable to do this and will sometimes attempt to steal the meal from the Song Thrush.
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| Mistle Thrush |
The Song Thrush is a solitary bird outside the breeding season while the Mistle Thrush will gather in flocks to feed. Berries form an important part of both species diets particularly in winter when insects are scarce. The Mistle Thrush will often take larger tougher insects and is often seen in open fields, while the Song Thrush is likely to be found digging around in piles of dead leaves for hiding insects.
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| Juvenile Song Thrush |
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| Mistle Thrush |
Where nesting is concerned the species differ. The Song Thrush builds its nest in thick ivy or hedges while the Mistle Thrush prefers to nest high up in mature trees. Both raise up to 3 broods during the season. Like many birds, the fledglings of both species cannot fly well for the first few days but once they gain independence the young Song Thrushes remain solitary foraging around in damp gardens and undergrowth for food. The young Mistle Thrush is more social and gathers together with other nearby juveniles to hunt for food together.
