Surfbirds News

Whilst everyone will be seeing Robins around this time, (how many of your Christmas cards depict a Robin?), the Mistle Thrush will largely go unnoticed. It is at this time of the year that this larger cousin of the more familiar Song Thrush comes into its own. It is one of our earliest breeding birds. Male Mistle Thrushes can often be heard in full song over the Christmas period, often from the top of the highest tree around, not stopping even during wild and windy weather, lending weight to its old name of ‘storm cock’.

Mistle Thrush, Northumberland, © John Malloy , from the Surfbirds galleries

All is not well with this devourer of mistletoe; its scientific name ‘viscivorus’ comes from its penchant for mistletoe berries, viscum (mistletoe) and vorare (to devour). The bird has been undergoing a steady decline, leading to it being included on the amber list of birds of conservation concern. British Trust for Ornithology led research has shown that the population has fallen by 35% over the last twenty-five years.

Mistle Thrushes feed on soft fruits and berries during the winter months, and will often vigorously defend large clumps of mistletoe and well laden hollies from all-comers with the distinctive football-rattle like call, as it chases off another raider, can often be heard. This habit not only ensures them a steady supply of food but is also proven to give them a head start in the breeding season. Birds that guard berries have been shown to produce bigger and earlier clutches than those that do not.

During Victorian times it was believed that the seed of the mistletoe would only germinate if it first passed through the body of a Mistle Thrush. This may hold some truth, as some seeds do indeed germinate more quickly if they have passed through a birds gut. If, as some suggest, mistletoe and holly are in short supply this year, Mistle Thrushes will turn to gardens in search of other berries.

You might have mistletoe in your home, but will you have its bird namesake in your garden? Keep an eye out for this big, bold and beautiful thrush this Christmas.

If you are concerned about the decline of the Mistle Thrush and would like to learn more about this fascinating bird, including information on how to tell the difference between the Mistle and Song Thrush, please contact the BTO on 01842 750050 and ask for the Garden BirdWatch team, or email gbw@bto.org or write to GBW team, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU.