swollen mistle thrush

[bigears29]

why does a mistle thrush swell up

[Thunderbird+]

It could be because they have eaten lots of berries,mistletoe are one of their favorites, wood pigions get really bloated on ivy berris and can just about take off at times!
Otherwise the thrush may have fluffed its feathers up to keep warm, they do this to tram warm air between their feathers, a bit like a duvet.

[Cetti]

Like T-bird says it is to keep warm.

Not fortunate enough to see a lovely Mistle Thrush, but our Robin and Dunnock have almost doubled in size fluffing up during this very cold weather.

[bensmum]

I agree it was probably just fluffed up - it's been very cold lately. I had what I thought was a giant sparrow in the garden yesterday but he was just fluffed up like a little ball!