Mistle thrush International Union for Conservation of Nature as being of least concern. The mistle thrush was first described by Linnaeus in his "Systema naturae" in 1758 under its current scientific names. "Turdus" is the Latin for "thrush", and "viscivorus", "mistletoe eater", comes from "viscum" "mistletoe" and "vorare", "to devour". The bird's liking for mistletoe berries is also indicated by its English name, "mistle" being an old name for the plant. There are more than 60 species of medium to large thrushes in the genus "Turdus", characterised by rounded heads, longish pointed wings, and usually melodious songs. A mitochondrial DNA study identified
Mistletoe that with each kiss a berry was to be plucked from the mistletoe, and the kissing must stop after all the berries had been removed. Unfortunately, people have reportedly been poisoned and died from consuming mistletoe. In Germany, the Christmas tradition is that people who kiss under mistletoe will have an enduring love or are bound to marry one another. From at least the mid-19th century, Caribbean herbalists of African descent have referred to mistletoe as "god-bush". Mistletoe is the state floral emblem of Oklahoma and the county flower of Herefordshire. Every year, the UK town of Tenbury Wells holds