Mistle thrush

    Turdus viscivorus

Castilian: Zorzal charlo

Catalan: Griva cerdana

Gallego: Tordo charlo

Euskera: Garraztarroa

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Turdidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

Although it adapts to different environments, it is affected, like almost all birds, by the loss and modification of its habitat. Its food sources, as well as its breeding areas, have been reduced due to agricultural intensification and urban expansion. In some regions, such as the Basque Country, pressure from hunters represents a problem for reproductive populations.

Length / size: 26-29 cm / 42-47 cm

Identification: Large thrush whose back is greyish-brown and whose underparts are whitish, with randomly-placed dark spots extending to its belly and a dark grey spot on both sides of its breast. Its face presents an irregular pattern of grey, white and black spots. In flight its white axiliar area and long tail are visible, two features that allow it to be distinguished from other thrushes.

Song: Its song is similar to that of the common blackbird, but it is more melancholic, fast and repetitive. its call is a dry, strident chattering, "zer-r-r-r-r".

Diet: It feeds on different invertebrates such as snails, earthworms, spiders and insects, and it also eats fruits and seeds. It is very keen on the mistletoe's sticky fruit that is found in coniferous forests.

Reproduction: The breeding period begins in February. The nest is built by the female with different materials that include paper and feathers, reinforced with mud and covered with finer materials; the nest is placed in the bark ridge of a very tall tree. The female is responsible for incubation but both parents care for the chicks.

HABITAT

It prefers oak and coniferous forests that have thick and diverse undergrowth or are near riversides. It is found from sea level up to an altitude of 2,000 metres in Sierra Nevada.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It is widely distributed throughout the peninsula, although it is scarce in the arid regions of the Ebro Valley, both Castiles, the south of Extremadura, Levante and the Guadalquivir Valley.

In Castile and León: When breeding, it is well distributed throughout all the provinces, with larger concentrations in León.

Movements and migrations: Nothern and eastern European populations are partially migratory, and the travel to the Mediterranean region. The further south, the more resident the birds are, and thus in our latitudes they behave as sedentary birds. However, specimens living at high altitudes make small changes in altitude for the winter. Wintering specimens from several European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, reach our country.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 330000-790000 breeding pairs (1997 data).

In Castile and León: