Common Blackbird

Turdus merula

Genus · Typical Thrushes Family · Thrushes
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Bird feederBushesForest undergrowthLawns

Look for the male's orange bill. Listen for the slow, lazy fluting song from treetops or chimneys at sunset.

Common Blackbird

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan34–38 cm
Weight80–125 g
Length23–29 cm
Lifespan wild2–16 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size3–5 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries
🍎Fruits
🦗Insects
🐌Snails
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Blackbirds use 'listening hunting'. They can detect the tiny vibrations of a moving earthworm beneath the soil surface. Studies show they often perform a 'foot-pattering' behavior to trick worms into moving, making them easier to locate and snatch.

About

Originally a shy forest bird, it has adapted perfectly to city parks and gardens. The male is iconic with jet-black plumage and a yellow eye-ring. The female is much more camouflaged. Its rich, flute-like song is a defining sound of the dawn chorus.

Behaviour

Blackbirds feed on the ground by tossing aside leaves to find insects. They are highly territorial and aggressive toward rivals. Their alarm call is a loud, hysterical rattle. This warns the garden of cats or hawks. In autumn, they switch their diet to fruit and berries.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Entirely black with a brilliant yellow or orange bill. He has a matching thin eye-ring. The plumage often shows a slight sheen.

♀ Female

Mainly dark brown with some lighter streaks on the throat and breast. The bill is dark brownish-yellow.

Similar species

Song Thrush
🐦
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos
Common Starling
🐦
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
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