The mistle thrush, the largest UK thrush, is known as the storm cock for its habit of singing in wild weather. Its 42% UK decline since 1970 reflects changes in the open woodland and parkland habitats it favours.
Mistle thrush welfare is affected by loss of grazed parkland with old fruit trees and pasture with short grass. The species that nests in tree forks and forages in short grassland for earthworms faces a dual habitat squeeze: mature trees for nesting being lost to development and disease, and improved grassland being managed too intensively for earthworm populations. Winter defence of mistletoe-bearing apple trees — a remarkable territorial behaviour — can break down when resource quality declines. Mistle thrushes in areas with minimal earthworm availability show reduced body condition and breeding failure.