Mistle thrush / Misteldrossel (Turdus viscivorus)

MerlinBirdId sagt Misteldrossel, weit weg im Naturschutzgebiet. Selten aber schon in Fehraltorf gesehen. 2025-01-20 16:57:25 Fehraltorf

Observations

First documented observation: 2020-05-07 in Fehraltorf. Most recent observation: 2026-05-29 in Switzerland.

Description

Classification: Genus Turdus (Turdus); Family Thrushes (Turdidae)
General: After a long outing in the woods with no 'new' discoveries where I hoped there might be, I followed a woodpecker-like rattle deep into the woods, and eventually managed a clear view of a mistle thrush (German Misteldrossel) while standing directly under the tree where I heard it. I believe it was a pair, but I only got a picture of one. The breast has that checkerboard look that thrushes have.
General: I initially saw them in the woods but later by Neschwil they came out of the woods into the fields to feed.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Jahres-, Zugvogel

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 03-23 - 07-29
Migration in: 02-20 - 05-01
Migration out: 08-29 - 11-15
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=27 cm, wingspan=42-47 cm, weight=100-150 g
Habitats: Forest

Similar species

Looks similar to: Meadow pipit.

Vocalisation

Song: Song: Die Stimme ist ähnlich wie die vom Pirol. [Link]
Gesang ähnlich Amsel, aber eintöniger mit geringerem Tonumfang [auch kürzer, kein schnirpsliges Ende -- Bill] [Link]
Song: Gesang ähnlich dem der Amsel, aber weniger abwechslungsreich und melancholisch, fast weinerlich klingend. Meist von Tannenspitze aus. [Link]
Song loud, far reaching and melodic. Most similar to Blackbird, but pitch is higher, phrases shorter (3-6 notes) and most notably, pauses between phrases are much shorter. All which gives the song a much more hurried feel than that of the Blackbird. Timbre is thinner and slightly shivering, and tonal range more limited. May have recurring favourite motifs, but does not repeat phrases like Song Thrush. Sometimes adds higher pitched parts and imitations. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: non-musical, fast, Frequency: 2-9 KHz Special sounds: rattle
Calls: Rufe:schnarrend „kerr“, daneben „tück-tück-tück“ [Link]
Other calls; a dry rattle, likened to the sound of a piece of wood drawn over a coarse comb, and a Fieldfare-like "chuck". [Link] General: I mistook this one for a woodpecker the first time I heard it, partly because BirdNet also did! Rattle generated in vocal tract, not with the beak!
XC945811 - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus - call, sounds like drumming, mistook it for a woodpecker first time I heard this.

XC945811 - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus - call, sounds like drumming, mistook it for a woodpecker first time I heard this. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC945811 - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus - call, sounds like drumming, mistook it for a woodpecker first time I heard this.mp3 (drumming)

Call attributes: Call melody: non-musical, fast, Frequency: 2-9 KHz, Special sounds: rattle.