Page 313 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

CHATS AND THRUSHES
Order Passeriformes Family Turdidae Species Turdus merula
Blackbird pale streaks yellow
on back
gingery eye-ring
brown body
wingtips subtly
paler, especially
from below
bright
dull black orange-
body yellow bill
brown JUVENILE
MALE wings dark
bill
MALE
IMMATURE MALE
IN FLIGHT (1ST WINTER)
large, all-
dark brown black body
body dark streaks
on throat
variably
raises tail mottled or
dark-spotted
underside
FEMALE
ne of Europe’s most familiar birds, the Blackbird is also
Oa common example of a species with very obvious male and
female differences. Black adult males are unique while females are
always darker than other thrushes, although with a variable tendency
to be spotted on the underparts.They range from remote mountain FLIGHT: usually quite low, quick, swooping into
forests to gardens and parks,and are among the most regular garden cover; more undulating over longer range with flurries
birds and bird-table visitors in many areas. Blackbirds create most of of wingbeats; raises tail on landing.
the spring dawn chorus in suburban and woodland areas.
VOICE Low, soft chook, frequent loud, sharp pink pink pink; alarm rattle fast,
hysterical outburst of sharp rattling notes, high, thin, slightly rough srreee; song
superb, musical, full-throated, mellow warbling with many variations, phrases
often ending in weak, scratchy sounds.
NESTING Grass and mud cup, lined with grass, in shrub, bush, low in tree or
hedge; 3–5 eggs; 2–4 broods; March–August.
FEEDING Finds worms, insects, and invertebrates of all kinds on ground, often
noisily exploring leaf litter; feeds on fruit and berries in bushes; often visits bird-
tables, and eats scattered apples and bread.
OCCURRENCE
SIMILAR SPECIES Breeds over almost whole of
Europe but rare in Iceland. In
SONG THRUSH STARLING 32; paler woods, gardens, parks, and
similar to 2; see p.372
see p.307 paler stockier wings farmland with tall hedges all year,
white in some areas garden lawn and
more clearly breast- shrubbery specialist, but essentially
spotted band bird of woodland with rotting leaf
below
litter on ground.
short
tail RING OUZEL 32; Seen in the UK
paler legs see p.312 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 24–25cm (9 1 ⁄2 –10in) Wingspan 34–38cm (13 1 ⁄2 –15in) Weight 80–110g (2 7 ⁄8 –4oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure
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