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, worms 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 may be loosely associated in suitable habitat.
Adult males are all black except for a yellow eyering and bill. The male sings its varied and melodious song from trees, rooftops or other elevated perches.
The female and juvenile have brown plumage and lack the bright yellow bill and eye-ring of the male.
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.
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.
A male Blackbird attempts to chase off a male Kestrel that has landed too close to its nest
Except when migrating, flbirds are never really gregarious although considerable numbers may roost together - often among redwing - in shrubberies and dense hedgerows.
Blackbirds may be found in a wide range of habitats including dense woodland, coastal sand-dunes, farmland, minute marsh carrs and town and city centres.
There is also evidence from ringing that some flbirds migrate in one winter, but not in another.
BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula), the name commonly given to a well-known British bird of the Turdidae family, for which the ancient name was ousel, Anglo-Saxon Osle, equivalent of the German Amsel, a form of the word found in several old English books.
The plumage of the male is of a uniform fl colour, that of the female various shades of brown, while the bill of the male, especially during the breeding season, is of a bright gamboge yellow.
The flbird is of a shy and restless disposition, courting concealment, and rarely seen in flocks, or otherwise than singly or in pairs, and taking flight when startled with a sharp shrill cry.
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