Forum Topic

Birds in Springfield Park

There's a pair of what look like thrushes or larks in springfield gardens.   They stand quite tall, and have a mottled brown appearance with a lighter colour tummy, if you know what i mean. I've always seen one around, but now there's a pair.  Can anyone identify exactly what they are?

Veronica Tuke ● 4947d8 Comments

veronica, they are Mistle Thrushes. They can be distinguished from song thrushes by their colouring (lighter), size (slightly larger) and stance (more upright).http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/mistlethrush/index.aspx

Amanda Knights ● 4947d

and they are a delight to watch!

Veronica Tuke ● 4947d

Nikki Howard ● 4946d

I saw one in Acton Park last year too.  Much nicer than the noisy parakeets!

N Roberts ● 4946d

Sorry Nikki, but that doesn't look much like a Mistle Thrush to me - it looks too dark. Perhaps it is a young one?

Amanda Knights ● 4946d

AmandaDefinitely a Mistle Thrush. It was a baby that I found in my garden.  I taught it to fly and feed itself.  Was released fit and well.  It still comes to my garden, to feed off the bird table.

Nikki Howard ● 4946d

That would explain it's very dark colouring and speckled appearance. All the adults I have seen are very pale brown and less speckled. Thought it should be a lark sitting on a flute....my daughter used to play The Lark Ascending on her flute!

Amanda Knights ● 4946d

I've spotted that there are now three mistle thrushes in the park - do we have a love triangle on our hands?

Veronica Tuke ● 4935d