Blackbirds mating?

[goosey]

This morning I saw a male blackbird really kicking (reminded me of a cat in a litter tray) about in the fallen leaves. When he found what ever he was looking for hopped over to a waiting female and proceeded to feed it to her - not on the ground but in a little dance about 2 foot off the ground. Is this a part of a blackbird mating ritual a bit like what robins do?

[aeshna5]

I've not seen this behaviour in Blackbird, but it's certainly normal in some species + demonstrates that he's a good provider for any offspring he sires.