Common Blackbird | BIRDS In BACKYARDS

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Facts and FiguresResearch Species: NoMinimum Size: 25cmMaximum Size: 28cmAverage size: 27cmAverage weight: 89gBreeding season: September to January Clutch Size: 3 to 5, usually 4Incubation: 14 daysNestling Period: 14 days Conservation StatusFederal: IntroducedNSW: IntroducedNT: IntroducedQLD: IntroducedSA: IntroducedTAS: IntroducedVIC: IntroducedWA: Introduced Bird FinderWhat colour is the bird?: BlackBrownsheen: GlossyWhat size is the bird?: Small (15 cm to 30 cm e.g. common myna)What shape is the bird?: Small: tail down Basic InformationScientific Name: Turdus merulaFeatured bird groups: Birds behaving badlyTop 40 Bird SongsIntroduced birdsAtlas Number: 991 What does it look like?Description:

The Common Blackbird was introduced to Australia at Melbourne in the 1850s. 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.

Similar species:

The Common Blackbird is not readily confused with other 'black' birds as it is much smaller than most Australian birds with a similar colouring and has a distinctive yellow eye-ring.

Where does it live?Distribution:

The Common Blackbird, was originally confined to Melbourne and Adelaide, but has gradually expanded its range throughout south-eastern Australia, both on the coast and inland, as far north as Sydney, and including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.

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.

What does it do?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.

Living with us

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

References: Field guide to Australian Birds.Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds

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