Blackbird
Turdus merula
Visual Identification
Appearance
The male Blackbird is a striking, glossy black with a bright yellow eye-ring and bill. Its legs are dark brown. Females, in contrast, are predominantly brown with a mottled breast and a duller bill.
Juveniles resemble females but have a more rufous tinge and subtle spotting. Adults may show slight brown fringes on their feathers during autumn after moulting.
Size
Length
23cm to 29cm
Wingspan
34cm to 38.5cm
Weight
80g to 125g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Blackbirds are widely distributed across Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia. They thrive in various habitats, including woodlands, parks, gardens, and urban areas. In the UK, they are one of the most common garden birds.
While some populations are resident year-round, others in northern Europe migrate south for winter. They have also been successfully introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they are now common in urban and rural areas.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,300 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Blackbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Blackbirds display considerable agility, hopping confidently across lawns and manoeuvring through various habitats. Their ability to forage effectively by probing the ground and flicking aside leaves demonstrates good dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not particularly strong for their size, Blackbirds possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. They can turn over leaves and dig for worms, indicating moderate muscular capability relative to their body size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Blackbirds show high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from woodlands to urban areas. Their omnivorous diet and successful introduction to new regions like Australia and New Zealand further demonstrate their adaptable nature.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
During breeding season, male Blackbirds vigorously defend their territories through song and aggressive displays. However, they're not considered overly aggressive outside this period, often forming loose flocks in winter.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Blackbirds exhibit good endurance, evidenced by their ability to maintain territories, forage extensively, and for some populations, undertake seasonal migrations. Their capacity to raise multiple broods per season also suggests decent stamina.
Diet
Blackbirds are omnivorous, eating primarily invertebrates such as earthworms, insects, and snails. They also consume various fruits and berries, particularly in autumn and winter.
Their feeding behaviour involves probing the ground with their bill and flicking aside leaves to uncover hidden prey.
Behaviour
Blackbirds are often seen hopping across lawns, pausing to listen for earthworms. During the breeding season, they are territorial, with males vigorously defending their areas through song and occasional physical confrontations. They may form loose flocks in winter, especially when foraging in fruit-rich areas.
Vocalisation
The Blackbird's song is a rich, melodious warble, often described as flute-like and unhurried. Males typically sing from high perches, especially at dawn and dusk.
Their alarm call is a sharp, repeated 'chink-chink-chink'. When startled, they may emit a characteristic harsh, chattering 'tseee-tseee-tseee' as they fly away.
Nesting & Breeding
Blackbirds typically breed from March to July in the UK. Males attract females with their melodious songs and displays of their bright bills. Pairs often remain together for multiple seasons.
The female constructs a cup-shaped nest of grass and mud, usually in dense vegetation or a tree fork. She lays 3-5 pale blue-green eggs with reddish-brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 13-15 days. Blackbirds often raise 2-3 broods per season.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Blackbird is listed as Least Concern globally, some local populations face challenges. In the UK, numbers have declined in recent years, possibly due to agricultural practices and urban development changes.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Blackbirds foraging on lawns, especially after rain
- Listen for their melodious song, often delivered from a high perch
- In the UK, watch for them turning over leaves in gardens during autumn
- Observe their bold behaviour around bird feeders
- Note the distinctive yellow eye-ring to differentiate from other black birds
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include domestic and feral cats, sparrowhawks, and magpies. Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to corvids, squirrels, and rats.
Did You Know?
- Blackbirds can mimic other bird species and even human-made sounds in their songs.
- In the UK, a rare yellow variant of the Blackbird occasionally occurs due to a genetic mutation.
- Blackbirds feature prominently in European folklore and literature, including the Beatles' song 'Blackbird'.
- Blackbirds can dig through 5-7cm of snow to find food.
FAQs
Can Blackbirds recognise humans?
Blackbirds are territorial creatures that share our gardens and urban spaces throughout the year. They undoubtedly grow accustomed to our presence within ‘their’ territories, and birds that are fed regularly probably learn to recognise the individuals that feed them.
Are Blackbirds good for the garden?
Blackbirds are a natural part of healthy environments, including our parks and gardens. They are generally lovely creatures to have around, although some gardeners woe their habit of digging up mulched flowerbeds and eating beneficial earthworms.
On the plus side, Blackbirds also feed on pest insects, and these birds are a joy to watch.
Do Blackbirds keep other birds away?
Blackbirds are not overly aggressive towards other bird species, although some individuals become rather aggressive in the nesting season and will even chase off other garden birds within their territory.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Turdus merula. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103888106A87871094.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
- 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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