Blackbird
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? Blackbird |
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 An adult male Blackbird
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| Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The Blackbird or Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a European member of the thrush family Turdidae.
It is common in woods and gardens over all of Europe and much of Asia south of the Arctic Circle. Populations are resident except for northern birds which move south in winter.
Blackbirds are 23.5 to 29 cm in length. They are omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, seeds and berries. They nest in bushes or similar, laying several (usually 4) bluish- green-grey eggs with brown reddish marks in a neat cup-shaped nest.
They do not form flocks, although several birds, especially migrants, may be loosely associated in a suitable habitat. Female blackbirds are especially fierce in the spring when they compete and fight with each other for a good nesting territory. Male birds are also competitive and will protect their territory by chasing away other males. If a fight between male Blackbirds does occur it is usually short and the intruder is soon chased away.
Adult males are all black except for a yellow eye-ring and bill. Adult female birds and juvenile birds have brown plumage and brown beaks and do not have a yellow eye-ring. Overall, juvenille birds are a slightly lighter brown than female birds and very young juvenile birds have somewhat speckled chests.
The male sings its varied and melodious song from trees, rooftops or other elevated perches.
The Blackbird has been introduced to many parts of the world outside its native range. In Australia and New Zealand it is considered a pest and has an effect on natural ecosystems.
Other Blackbirds
The Blackbird is not related to the North American blackbirds, such as Red-winged Blackbird or Brewer's Blackbird, which are Icterids, family Icteridae. The name "blackbird" is occasionally mis-applied to other unrelated dark colored birds as well. However, it is related to the American Robin, another thrush with broadly similar habits. Ironically the American Robin has its own unrelated counterpart in the European Robin.
Gallery
 A male blackbird attempts to chase off a male Kestrel that has landed too close to its nest |
 A female blackbird |
 Blackbird chicks in a nest |