There are six species of Thrush present in the UK over the course of the year: three resident species (Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, and Song Thrush), two wintering species (Redwing and Fieldfare) and one summer visitor (Ring Ouzel). They are all very similar in size and visual identification can be difficult for four of the species (Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redwing, and Fieldfare).
Luckily their songs and calls are quite prolific (and loud) making identification much easier. Furthermore, even with the coming and going of migrant species there is always a good chance that you will be able to hear a Thrush all year round.
Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula
Starting in early spring the male Blackbird’s song is one of the most recognisable in the UK. Its sweet short verses fill the warming days and are a sure sign it is about to get lighter and brighter. Each verse is no longer than 4 seconds and very varied, with each male having a repertoire of around 30 verses. The song is commonly confused with the robins, whose song is a bit higher in pitch whilst having a greater range. It can also be confused with the Mistle Thrush’s song – the Blackbird’s song is considered more tuneful than Mistle Thrush’s, whose song is a bit flatter and aimless (see below)
The song is very common in spring and early summer before becoming more sporadic in late summer and autumn. All year round, all Blackbirds also make a ‘tzek’ or ‘wik’ call, delivered in fast bursts in response to threats or predators. They also produce a ‘tsee’ flight call similar to the redwings but shorter.
Song Thrush – Turdus philomenus
The Song Thrush is a great species to listen out for during the spring and summer. It could easily be considered the loudest songbird in the UK. The pattern of its song is the easiest way to recognise it, with around three to five clear, even notes or whistles in a phrase. After a break of a few seconds another three to five clear and even whistles will follow. This will be repeated several times, each phrase being a different series of whistles. This can go on for quite a while. It also has a flight call, a very very short and high pitched ‘tz’ or ‘sip’, this can repeat every few seconds or it can be a one off.
Redwing – Turdus iliacus
A winter visitor to most of the UK, the Redwing’s call is predominantly a flight call. It has a long ‘tseee’ call that is most often heard at night from October to March as it is passing overhead. It can also make an anxiety call with a ‘hic’. It is quite a shy creature that will forage in hedgerows on grassy farmland, only venturing into urban parks during a harsh winter. There is a small breeding population in Northern Scotland, where you are more likely to hear its song.
Fieldfare – Turdus pilaris
Similar to the Redwing, the Fieldfare is another winter visitor (October to March) feeding on berries and similar. They are more likely to gather in large flocks and make a ‘tchak’ or ‘trrak’ call. These calls are often in twos or threes and can sound like they are mocking you with a laugh. When in large flocks they can make quite a racket. Again it is rare that these birds breed in the UK so the song is rarely heard.
Mistle Thrush – Turdus viscivorous
This resident species is also known as the ‘Storm Cock’ as it will sing its melancholic song even as bad weather approaches. The pattern of its verses are very similar to the Blackbird’s, even if each verse is slightly shorter with around three to four notes in each. The sound is distinctively less sweet, with much less embellishment. Whereas the Blackbird is sprightly the Mistle Thrush could simply described as sad (phrases like ‘lovelorn’ or ‘poetic’ are often used).
The Mistle Thrush’s flight call is much more energetic. The fast ‘rat-tat-tat-tat-tat’ sounds like a football rattle or a cartoon machine gun. This call can last for several seconds or be split up into a series of one second bursts.
Ring Ouzel – Turdus torquatus
It could be said that the Ring Ouzel’s song is to a Song Thrush what a Mistle Thrush is to a Blackbird. In other words it has a similar pattern, that is, a series of notes in a phrase then another different set of notes, but the Ring Ouzel is not quite as crisp, methodical, and varied as the Song Thrush. The number of tunes is much reduced and its voice can be more echoey with a touch of vibrato.
It has two other calls. A flight call which is similar to the Fieldfare’s chuckle – two or three raspy ‘tchaks’. The other call is an alarm call similar to many smaller birds consisting of several ‘tics’ similar to the sound made by the balls of Newton’s cradle as it swings.
Additional Reading
- Adrian Thomas, RSPB Guide To Birdsong, Bloomsbury Wildlife, 2019
- Lars Svensen et al., Collins Bird Guide 2nd Edition, William Collins, 2009