Species Profile

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Blackbird

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

3–4 years^[4]

Length

23–29 cm

Weight

80–125 g

Wingspan

34–38.5 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

With its beautiful song and striking jet-black plumage, this garden favourite is a year-round staple of British backyards and parks.

Also known as: Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird

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Gallery

Appearance

The male Blackbird is a striking, glossy black with a bright yellow eye-ring and bill. Its legs are dark brown. Females, in contrast, are predominantly brown with a mottled breast and a duller bill.

Juveniles resemble females but have a more rufous tinge and subtle spotting. Adults may show slight brown fringes on their feathers during autumn after moulting.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Black
Beak: Yellow
Legs: Brown

Female Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: Grey
Beak: Brown
Legs: Brown

Female Markings

Mottled breast

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength45/100

Adaptability85/100

Aggression60/100

Endurance70/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Blackbirds are widely distributed across Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia to western Kazakhstan. They thrive in various habitats, including woodlands, parks, gardens, and urban areas. In the UK, they are one of the most common garden birds.

While some populations are resident year-round, others in northern Europe migrate south for winter. They have also been successfully introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they are now common in urban and rural areas.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

Wales

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Cambridgeshire

Rutland

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Bristol

Cheshire

Cornwall

Cumbria

Derbyshire

Devon

Dorset

Durham

Gloucestershire

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Hampshire

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

London

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Blackbirds are omnivorous, eating primarily invertebrates such as earthworms, insects, and snails. They also consume various fruits and berries, particularly in autumn and winter.

Their feeding behaviour involves probing the ground with their bill and flicking aside leaves to uncover hidden prey.

Behaviour

Blackbirds are often seen hopping across lawns, pausing to listen for earthworms. During the breeding season, they are territorial, with males vigorously defending their areas through song and occasional physical confrontations.

They may form loose flocks in winter, especially when foraging in fruit-rich areas.

Calls & Sounds

The Blackbird's song is a rich, melodious warble, often described as flute-like and unhurried. Males typically sing from high perches, especially at dawn and dusk.

Their alarm call is a sharp, repeated 'chink-chink-chink'. When startled, they may emit a characteristic harsh, chattering 'tseee-tseee-tseee' as they fly away.

Nesting & Breeding

Blackbirds typically breed from March to July in the UK. Males attract females with their melodious songs and displays of their bright bills. Pairs often remain together for multiple seasons.

The female constructs a large cup-shaped nest of dry grass stems, small twigs packed with mud, and lined with fine grass and stems, usually placed 0.5-15 m off the ground in bushes, trees, climbing plants, or human structures. She lays 3-5 pale blue-green eggs with reddish-brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 13-15 days. Blackbirds often raise 2-3 broods per season.

Conservation

While the Blackbird is listed as Least Concern globally, some local populations face challenges. In the UK, numbers have declined in recent years, possibly due to agricultural practices and urban development changes.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 10,000,000 - 500,000,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Increasing^[2]

Elevation

Up to 2,300 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include domestic and feral cats, sparrowhawks, and magpies. Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to corvids, squirrels, and rats.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Blackbirds foraging on lawns, especially after rain
Listen for their melodious song, often delivered from a high perch
In the UK, watch for them turning over leaves in gardens during autumn
Observe their bold behaviour around bird feeders
Note the distinctive yellow eye-ring to differentiate from other black birds

Did You Know?

Blackbirds can mimic other bird species and even human-made sounds in their songs.
In the UK, a rare yellow variant of the Blackbird occasionally occurs due to a genetic mutation.
Blackbirds feature prominently in European folklore and literature, including the Beatles' song 'Blackbird'.
Blackbirds can dig through 5-7cm of snow to find food.