Details
Turdus merula
The common blackbird is a medium-sized thrush centered on the Palearctic. The male's black plumage, yellow bill, and rich evening song make it a familiar bird.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses woodland, edges, hedges, parks, gardens, and orchards. Shrubs, leaf litter, and soft ground support foraging, and many birds adapt well to towns.
Length is 23-29 cm and weight 80-125 g. Males are black with a yellow bill and eye ring, while females are brown with paler mottling on the breast.
Diurnal birds are usually solitary or paired on territories. On the ground they pause, cock the head, and listen or watch for movement under litter.
An omnivore, it eats earthworms, insects, slugs, fruit, and berries. It probes soft soil and flicks aside leaves to expose food.
The nest is a cup placed in shrubs, climbers, or dense cover. The female mainly incubates, and both parents bring worms and insects to chicks.
It is listed as Least Concern. Often common in parks and gardens, it may migrate regionally, with berries important in winter.
