Feverred Frushes

[rutineli]

I am very fortunate in having a family of speckled thrushes in my garden. One is a little larger than the other which I took to be an gender related difference. Recently the happy couple have been joined by another spckled thrush (??) that looks more or less the same as them but for the fact that it is nearly double their size.
I have NEVER seen a speckled thrush of this size. They all seem to get on alright together and all appear to be collecting food for chick feeding purposes.
Am I seeing "Macho thrush" the wifes lover or a new cousin from different climbs. It really is a whopper but looks the same as the other two to all intents and purposes and doubtless posseses forty fousand fevers on its froat. Anybody have any ideas???? rutineli.

[yogasun]

Could it be that whilst the others are Song Thrushes, this is a Mistle Thrush? Other more knowlegeable ABers will post on this I'm sure.

[Cetti]

I believe yogasun has the right answer, although other thoughts always welcome. It sounds like you are hosting a Thrush party in your garden rutineli, for two members of a family that that are becoming rarer in a lot of areas, especially the Mistle.

Your 'big boy' is our largest thrush weighing in at 27cm compared to the Song at about 23cms, but it does look a lot bigger because of its upright stance. I'm afraid there is nothing untoward in the love department with these birds - look to the Dunnock for dirty goings on!

[rutineli]

Many thanks to you both for your information. I had always thought that the mistle thrush displayed different plumage, whereas my gang are all of the multi-speckled variety in brown and pale beige. Does that fit in with a mistle thrush and song thrushes? rutineli

[Cetti]

They are both brown and speckled....but different. The Song Thrush has a brown back, buff underneath, yellowy underparts, with joined up speckles. More rounded shape altogether.

The Mistle Thrush is bigger and upright, almost looking down his nose, that sort of stance ! The colouring is brown back again, with much paler underparts, almost white, with larger looking, more separate speckles.

I've found some lovely pictures of both thrushes for you to see and check out:

http://www.ophrysphotography.co.uk/slideshows/ thrushes/

[rutineli]

Cetti'
Thank you so much. You have found pictures that show exactly the two types of bird in my garden. The question is no longer a question.
I feel very lucky given the comments regarding their diminishing presence. I am also lucky enough yo have a pair of badgers , a pair of hedgehogs and foxes that all visit on a nightly basis so I don't need a TV any more. I also have a feeding flock of up to 17 chaffinches that descend upon the lawn.
I have to say that all of the food that I put out is getting a bit expensive but fortunately they don't read the "sell-by" dates.

Many thanks again to all who took the trouble to answer.
rutineli