Mistle thrush

Mistle thrush

This small canvas captures the fleeting motion of a mistle thrush in mid-flight, its wings cutting through the quiet air of a woodland scene. The bird moves with purpose among the trees, embodying both grace and vigilance. Known scientifically as Turdus viscivorus—a name meaning “the thrush that devours mistletoe”—this species is famed for its fondness for the sticky white berries, which it guards with striking determination.

The painting carries a quiet undercurrent of loss as well as beauty. Though the thrush appears resilient wings widespread, its presence hints at a broader story: in the UK, its population has declined by 62% between 1967 and 2022. This painting invites the viewer to appreciate not only the bird’s elegance, but also the fragility of the natural world it inhabits.

Acrylic on canvas in a white wood frame
Framed 17.5 × 17.5 cm