Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Blackbird
Scientific Name:
Turdus merula
Length:
24cm
Wingspan (mm):
36cm
Lifespan:
Typical life span 3 yrs Description
As would be expected, the male blackbird is entirely black with only a ring of orange-yellow around each eye and a yellow beak. However, the female blackbird is a mottled brown colour with flecks and spots on her breast and a yellow-brown bill. Juveniles are reddish-brown with paler spotting.
Albinism is common in Blackbirds but there are even more "partial albino" birds e.g. some with a white head or wing etc.
Diet
Favours insects, worms, berries and other fruits including apples and pears but they have also been known to take tadpoles and newts and even small fish.
Status
Green
Did You Know?
The blackbird in your garden in winter may not be the same bird that you had in spring. In Autumn, many blackbirds migrate west with British birds moving towards Ireland and European birds moving into the UK.