The mistle thrush is distributed throughout the western Palearctic, from western Europe to central Russia (BirdLife International, 2024). In Europe, it occupies most of the continent except the coldest regions (Keller et al., 2020). In Spain, it is found across much of the Iberian Peninsula, being abundant in the northern half and scarce in treeless areas such as major river valleys, both plateaus, and the arid southeast (Cano-Barbacil & Cano in SEO/BirdLife, 2022).

In the Community of Madrid, it is absent only from the treeless areas of the centre and southeast. Within the region, it prefers coniferous forests of Scots pine, and to a lesser extent, holm oak woodlands (Díaz et al., 1994).

In the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, it occurs in the higher-altitude pine forests on slopes. It appears in sloping pine stands, mountain passes, and ridges such as Siete Picos or Collado Marichiva to the west. It is also present at the heights of La Morcuera and in the upper areas of pine and mixed forests of the Lozoya valley. It is abundant in the northeastern end of the park, particularly in the deciduous and mixed forests east of Puerto de Navafría, Término de Baños, and the slopes of Reajo Alto.