Singing Blackbird

[Africa]

I heard a quiet song coming from inside a bush today. I looked and it was a Blackbird, like singing to himself and looking a bit ashamed as if I had caught him doing something he wasn't supposed to do This is not the first time I've witnessed this. Has anybody else seen this. Is it a common behaviour? why do they do it?

[Jim Ford]

We have a blackbird that comes into our bedroom open window every day for digestive biscuits we leave for it. It's been doing it for about three years and doesn't take any notice of us, even if we move around the room. We've noticed earlier in the year that after feeding it will often sit on the window ledge and sing very quietly to itself (or us!).

Jim

[Hedgehoggy]

This subdued singing is known as a 'sub-song', where the Blackbirds (not sure if other songbirds also do this) will be quietly practising their songs now in the run up to the courting season.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

This subdued singing is known as a 'sub-song', where the Blackbirds (not sure if other songbirds also do this) will be quietly practising their songs now in the run up to the courting season.

We prefer to think that 'our' blackbird does it to thank us for the biscuits we leave on the bedroom table for it!
;^)

It's also interesting that in the context of our bedroom, the blackbird pretty much ignores us. I can shout at it and move around the room to within a couple of metres of it, and it will carry on feeding, but in the garden it is just as wary of us as any other blackbird.

Jim

[ChrisJB]

I've never heard 'blackie' sub-song up here in SE Lancs until early Jan' at the earliest, but t' other day, a 'mizzy' was belting its full song out in a tree top, almost a month earlier than last year. I've heard the odd 'songy' in late Nov' in previous years too.

Regards, Chris

[loripo]

I saw/heard this a couple of days ago. A blackbird perched in the middle of a leafless shrub, singing very quietly, beak closed. I stood still and watched for quite some time and he just eyed me and carried on. I remembered reading this thread so I knew what it was - a lovely few moments.

[hatless]

I've come across blackbirds doing this over the years, including this week. It's true that they do seem a bit furtive, sitting inside a bush or small tree, singing sotto voce. What other birds have a subsong?

[Hedera]

Robins do it quite often. I have one around the garden who sits in the japonica tree and whistles away to himself at this time of year. I whistle back and he "answers".

[elvisoneill]

I have one who sits on the ariel of the Primary School opposite

He stared belting it out at full tilt at about 415am on the last two nights.

Good News:Spring is surely coming

Bad News: He'll be doing this for another 4 months!

Great to hear him though!

[Cowgirl]

Talking of blackbirds.....

I throw a mix of peanuts & suet pellets out onto my grass every morning & I've counted 5 male & 2 female all appearing in one go (there may be others which flit in & out but I can never stay to watch as I'm invariably late for work!). They do a wary circle n' snatch with a few chasings. What will happen come nesting time? Will ther be one almighty scrap winner takes all or will this tempoary truce for the sake of a quick snack continue?