- Turdus merula
Identification
L. 23.5-29 cm
Male
- All black
- Yellow eye ring and bill
Female and Juvenile
- Brown plumage
- Brown beak
- No yellow eye ring
Overall, the juvenile is a slightly lighter brown than the female, and the very young juvenile has a speckled breast.
Distribution
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.
Generally abundant and widespread over much of the Region. Breeds on the Faroes, British Isles, France and Spain east to the southern Urals, reaching much of Scandinavia except the far north and the higher mountains. In the south occurs along the north Mediterranean coast from Spain to the Middle East and on most major islands, Turkey except much of the interior, and the Caucasus. Also breeds on the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and from Morocco to Tunisia. Now breeds annually in very small numbers in Iceland.
Populations breeding in the far north and from Poland eastwards are largely migratory with most birds moving to the south-west from late September and returning in March-April. Elsewhere, in parts of range such as Britain, a partial migrant with many birds moving to Ireland. Occurs in winter in coastal Iceland, the birds probably originating in Scandinavia.
Vagrants recorded in Svalbard, Bear Island, Jan Mayen and a rare winter visitor to Kuwait. Casual vagrant to Greenland. Accidental to northeastern United States and Canada where origin is questioned. However it seems that Eurasian Blackbird should not be a popular cagebird.
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.
Habitat
Woodland and forest, coniferous, mixed or deciduous, hedgerows and roadsides, parks and gardens and a range of scrub habitats. Occurs from sea-level up to more than 1500m.
Taxonomy
The number of subspecies of Eurasian Blackbird is either 15 or 16 depending on authority.
The nominate race occurs over much of the Region, replaced by the duller and fractionally smaller aterrimus in South-East Europe and Turkey with the female being much greyer than female of merula. Middle Eastern race syriacus has longer and more slender bill than nominate and both sexes greyer in plumage. North African mauretanicus is longer-tailed and greyer, especially the female which also has yellow bill. Central Asian intermedius reaches the Region in winter, larger than merula with heavier bill and duller plumage. Island races cabrerae from Madeira and the western Canary Is, and azorensis from the Azores are shorter-winged with glossier, blacker plumage, including females.
Behavior
Breeding
Grass & mud cup in tree, bush or hedge. Nests in bushes or similar, laying several (usually 4) bluish- green-grey eggs with brown reddish marks in a neat cup-shaped nest.
Diet
Feeds on fruit & berries in shrubs & bushes. Will probe lawns for worms and other insects
Voice
Song
Mellow fluty musical warbling. Many variations & phrases.
Call
Gives a variety of alarm calls.
<flashmp3>Turdus merula (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Discussion
A Blackbird has an average life expectancy of 2.4 years, the highest known age is 20 years.
It does not form flocks, although several birds, especially migrants, may be loosely associated in a suitable habitat. The female Blackbird is aggressive in the spring when it competes with others for a good nesting territory. The male is also competitive and will protect its territory by chasing away other males. If a fight between male Blackbirds does occur it is usually short and the intruder is soon chased away.
