The Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) is on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern, indicating high conservation concern due to serious population declines. Added to the list in 2015, the population has decreased by over 60% in the UK since the late 1970s, though they are not considered threatened globally. RSPB +3

Key Details on Red List Status

• Status: Red List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern 5), which is the highest conservation category.

• Decline: The breeding population in the UK declined by 62% between 1967 and 2022.

• Causes: The exact causes are not fully understood, but likely include the degradation of farmland habitats, loss of invertebrate-rich areas, and changes in farming methods.

• Habitat: They rely on berry-rich hedgerows, orchards, and healthy woodland edges for food and cover.

• Description: As Britain's largest songbird, they are known for their loud, rattling call and for defending feeding territories. RSPB +6

Despite being red-listed in the UK, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as "Least Concern" globally because of its huge range and population.