Blackbird, Eurasian blackbird - Turdus merula

 

In Australia, the Common Blackbird is often viewed as a pest, but the early pioneers were determined to ensure that Blackbirds were successfully introduced into their adopted land. Blackbirds were released dozens of times throughout south-eastern Australia, mostly in the 1860s. Though most Blackbirds are sedentary in Australia, their range has expanded and they are capable of making long-distance movements, with some regularly crossing Bass Strait; a few have even reached subantarctic islands! [1]

Common blackbirds breed in Europe, North Africa, India and southern China. Populations in the north and east migrate to winter in Egypt and the west and south-east of Asia. These birds were also introduced into Australia and New Zealand during the 1850s. This species lives in very varied habitats, including mountainous regions and big city centers, where they inhabit open forests and forest edges, cultivated areas, gardens and parks, if the cover is dense enough for hiding.

The Common blackbird makes several different calls, depending on the situation. When disturbed, it gives a low, slowly repeated “tchuc”, and when alarmed, it utters a shrill “tink-tink-tink” repeated quickly, which may become hysterical when it is faced with a dangerous predator.Blackbirds like to sing following rain. [2]

The male is the 'black' bird, with deep orange to yellow bill, a narrow yellow eye-ring and dark legs. The female is a brown bird, with some streaks or mottling, and has a dark bill and legs. Immature birds are similar to the female with lighter underparts.

Habitat: 

The Common Blackbird is most often found in urban areas and surrounding localities, but has successfully moved into bushland habitats. It is often seen in orchards, vineyards and gardens, as well as along roadsides and in parks.

Feeding: 

The Common Blackbird eats insects, earthworms, snails, spiders and a range of seeds and fruit. It mainly forages on the ground, probing and scratching at leaf litter, lawns and soil.

Breeding: 

The Common Blackbird builds a cup-shaped nest of dried grass, bound with mud, and lined with fine grasses. It is usually placed in a tree, shrub or low bush, but they will also use tree hollows.

The Common Blackbird can be a pest in orchards, parks and gardens, being rather destructive of ground vegetation, particularly backyard vegetable patches. [3]