Thrushes

Here's a list of all the UK Thrushes:

Song Thrush

Song thrushes are charming birds with a warmish brown back, head, and wings. Their cream breasts are speckled with dark brown, heart-shaped spots.

These birds are quite smaller than blackbirds, measuring about 23 cm in length. Unlike their relatives, the mistle thrush and the redwing, song thrushes lack a white eyestripe and red and orange underwings, making them easy to distinguish.

Differences Between Male And Female Song Thrushes

In song thrushes, males and females share a similar appearance. However, careful observation may reveal subtle differences in size or spot patterns, though these distinctions are not always pronounced.

Redwing

Redwings, the UK’s smallest thrush species, are notable for their creamy-white chests adorned with dark brown marks. They boast striking red and orange underwings and a creamy-white mark above the eye, setting them apart from similar species like fieldfares. These birds measure about 21 cm in length, with a wingspan stretching up to 35cm.

Differences Between Male And Female Redwings

Males and females of the Redwing species are remarkably similar in appearance. Both genders display the same characteristic brown backs, white underparts with dark spots, and the distinctive red flanks and underwing. Even their size and weight are comparable, making it challenging to distinguish between them based on physical features alone.

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrushes are robust birds, easily recognised by their upright posture and bold demeanour. They measure around 27 cm in length with a wingspan of 42-48 cm.

Their upperparts are pale grey-brown, and their underparts are white, heavily spotted with brown. These spots form a unique necklace-like pattern around the throat. The tail is long with distinctive white tips on the outer feathers, and the legs are pale yellow-brown.

Differences Between Male And Female Mistle Thrushes

Male and female Mistle Thrushes are similar in plumage, making it challenging to distinguish them visually. Both sexes share the same size and colouration, with no significant differences in markings or hue.

Fieldfare

Fieldfares are sizable thrushes, comparable in stature to the Mistle Thrush.

They possess a distinctive bluish-grey head, a speckled breast, and a yellow coloured beak, setting them apart with their vivid plumage. Their upright posture and purposeful hopping make them easily identifiable in the wild.

Differences Between Male And Female Fieldfares

The plumage of male and female Fieldfares is similar, with both sporting the characteristic blue-grey head and speckled breast. However, females may have a slightly more brownish tone to their plumage.

Blackbird

Blackbirds are a familiar sight, renowned for their striking appearance. Male Blackbirds sport a glossy black plumage, complemented by a vivid orange-yellow beak and a yellow eye-ring.

In contrast, female Blackbirds exhibit a brown colouration, often adorned with spots and streaks on their breasts.

Differences Between Male And Female Blackbirds

The most noticeable difference lies in their colouration. Males are distinctly black with their bright beaks, while females are predominantly brown with a softer tone on their beaks.

FAQs