Blackbird Information

Turdus merula

The European population, of this bird, is regarded as Secure by BirdLife International.

Medium sized, slightly larger than a Starling, the male Blackbird is easy to identify with its jet black plumage and bright yellow beak.

The female is a similar size, still with the bright yellow beak but dark brown in colour with a mottled throat and chest. Juveniles are similar to the female but with more mottling on throat and chest and a dark bill.

Size: 24cm - 25cm

Weight: 80 - 125gms

Habitat: Woodland, farmland, gardens and parks.

Nesting: Nests are made of dry vegetation reinforced with mud. The female builds a solid nest usually in a shrub or hedge. This consists of dry vegetation which the male may help to collect, reinforced with mud. Incubation takes 13 days. Both male and female feed the chicks who leave the nest 13-14 days after hatching.To encourage blackbirds to nest in your garden, provide open nesting boxes placed amongst dense foliage such as Ivy.

Eggs: 3-5 brown-freckled, greenish-blue eggs. 2 - 4 broods in a season.

Food: Their main diet of insects, caterpillars and worms is supplemented during the autumn with fruit and berries. Encourage blackbirds into your garden with ground blends, fruits and dried mealworms. Place on the ground or on a bird table.

Call: Loud melodic warbling. Shrill rattle when agitated.

Characteristics: By nature, a woodland bird, the blackbird has adapted well to farmland and gardens.

Blackbirds are a common sight in gardens as they hop across lawns turning over leaves looking for food.