European Blackbird beaks (1 Viewer)

[GusHawk]

I've just been sitting in the lounge with my bins out in case. Noticed quite a few Blackbirds in the Holly bush in my front garden and have had good views of their various beak colours. Whilst I know the female always has the dark brown beak, what do the different males colours mean? Is it age or where their from or...?

 

[string boozel]

Hi Gushawk, fully adult males have the yellow beaks, younger males retain the dark ones even if they have the full set of black feathers.

James.

 

[GusHawk]

I've seen Blackbirds with orange beaks though, in fact more orange than yellow. And I've seen a couple with Red beaks too.

 

[Richard Prior]

I've seen Blackbirds with orange beaks though, in fact more orange than yellow. And I've seen a couple with Red beaks too.

I've not heard about red-beaked individuals, but the adult males' beaks can range from pale yellow to a deep orange, dépends on what they've been eating, the intensity of the yellow/orange is something to do with carotine in their system I think. A study I read about somewhere recently showed that in spring the females will choose a deep orange-billed male to pair with rather than paler-beaked males as it's an indicator of good health!

 

[GusHawk]

A-ha, answers my question completely thank you.