Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

 

 

The Common Blackbird is a songbird of the thrush family and a breeding bird in most of Europe. The name says it all: the Blackbird is an all black bird with a slim pointed yellow bill and a slim yellow eye-ring. These are the unmistakable identification features. Sexes are dissimilar and the female blackbird bears a more sooty-brown or light-brown plumage with spots on chest and flanks and a greyish chin. The female blackbird also has a darker bill.

 

We find the Common Blackbird in a variety of habitats and it is most common in woodland, parks, parklands, gardens, green yards, graveyards, juniper country. One can say that the blackbird is the most common garden bird in most of Europe, if not endemic. 

 

We can often hear its confiding songs from perches on rooftops, TV areals, treetops, in woods, gardens and green yards in the morning and during afternoon to evening.

 

Common Blackbirds feed on earthworms, insects and berries and like to attend to bird feedings if and when provided.

 

 

 

Bird Facts: Common Blackbird

 

Breeding – Clutch – Measurements – Habitat – Food - Threats

 

Taxonomy:

Order: Passerines (Passeriformes)

Family: Turdidae

Genus: Turdus

Species: Common Blackbird

 

Scientific Name: Turdus pilaris

 

Names and Synonymes of the Common Blackbird

 

Name in German: Amsel

Name in Czech: Drozd černý

Name in Slovak: Drozd

Name in Hungarian: Fekete rigó

Name in Croat: Kos

Name in French: Merle noir

Name in Spanish: Mirlo Común

Name in Portuguese: Melro-preto

Name in Italian: Merlo

Name in Dutch: Merel

Name in Finish: Mustarastas

Name in Norwegian: Svarttrost

Name in Danish: Solsort

Name in Swedish: Koltrast

Name in Polnisch: Kos

Name in Russian: дрозд

Name in Greek: Κότσυφας

Name in Turkey: Karatavuk, Қара сайрақ

 

Distribution – Movements – Habitat – Behaviour