Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

The Common Blackbird is a widespread and well-known thrush species found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. Recognized for its melodious song and adaptable nature, it thrives in both rural and urban environments.

Physical Description

• Size: 23–29 cm (9–11.4 inches)
• Wingspan: 34–38 cm (13–15 inches)
• Weight: 80–125 grams
• Male:
  • Jet black plumage
  • Distinctive bright yellow-orange beak and eye-ring
• Female:
  • Brownish plumage with a mottled breast
  • Dark brown beak
• Juvenile:
  • Resembles females but with speckled patterns on the chest

Habitat

• Found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa, with some populations migrating to warmer areas in winter.
• Common in woodlands, parks, gardens, farmland, and urban areas.
• Adapts well to human environments, often nesting close to houses.

Behavior & Diet

• Feeding:
  • Omnivorous; diet includes worms, insects, berries, and fruits.
  • Often seen foraging on the ground, turning over leaves in search of food.
• Vocalization:
  • Rich, fluting song, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Males sing from high perches to defend territory.
  • Alarm call is a sharp, repeated “chink-chink.”
• Territorial:
  • Males are highly territorial, especially during breeding season.

Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding Season: March–July
• Nests:
  • Cup-shaped, built from grass, twigs, and mud, often in bushes or trees.
• Eggs:
  • 3–5 bluish-green eggs with brown speckles.
• Incubation:
  • About 13–14 days, mainly by the female.
• Fledging:
  • Chicks leave the nest in 12–16 days but remain dependent on parents for another 2–3 weeks.

Threats & Conservation

• Threats:
  • Habitat loss and urban expansion.
  • Predation by cats, hawks, and corvids.
• Conservation Status:
  • Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
  • Adaptable and widespread, populations remain stable.

Interesting Facts

• Males sing at dawn and dusk to mark territory and attract mates.
• Urban blackbirds often sing louder than rural ones to compete with city noise.
• They can live up to 5 years, though many don’t survive their first winter.

Summary

The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a familiar and much-loved songbird with its beautiful melody and striking appearance. Highly adaptable, it thrives in gardens and woodlands, making it a frequent sight across its range.

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