Fauna
Bird

Eurasian Blackbird

Turdus merula

Also known as Common Blackbird, Blackbird

Adult male blackbirds are celebrated for their mellow, flute-like territorial songs delivered from prominent perches at dawn and dusk. Foraging on the ground, they vigorously toss aside fallen leaves to uncover earthworms, beetles, and fallen berries. While historically restricted to dense woodlands, they have adapted brilliantly to human settlements and rank among the most familiar songbirds across European gardens and urban parks.

SongbirdGarden BirdGround Forager
Eurasian Blackbird reference
(c) Luiz Lapa, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCommon Earthworm, Garden Snail, Blackberry
Predators
  • Domestic Cat
  • Eurasian Sparrowhawk
  • Tawny Owl
ThreatsDomestic cat predation, vehicle collisions, and window strikes
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, gardens, parks, hedgerows, and scrubland
Life span3–4 years in the wild
Classification
  1. OrderPasseriformes
  2. FamilyTurdidae
  3. GenusTurdus
  4. SpeciesTurdus merula
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Feeding Etiquette: Offer sliced apples, raisins, or mealworms directly on the ground or a low platform tray.
  • Alarm Calls: Listen for their loud, frantic rattling call to pinpoint nearby lurking predators like cats.
  • Nesting Season: Avoid trimming dense ivy and garden shrubs between March and August to protect active nests.
Related species
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