Turdus merula - Blackbird
Feather characters. Barbules are extremely short (0.48-0.52 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and partly pigmented (less than 50%) internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (36-40 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 25 cm. Weight 113 g (82-149) (Dunning, 1993). Male easy to identify by completely black plumage with yellow or orange bill and orbital ring. Female more variable, dark earth-brown, with light throat and warm brown or rufous chest and belly, rather indistinctly spotted and striped with black. Tail long rounded, wings more rounded than in other thrushes. Juvenile resemble female, but are more orangy brown and heavily spotted and streaked, with light spots also on the upperparts. Usually solitary or in pairs, but small flocks occur on migration. Song from elevated perch, like top of roof, antenna, or treetop.
Voice. Song varied, with sweet fluting tones, not repeating single tones like in Song Thrush. Variety of calls include 'pink pink', 'chuk chuk', and loud rattle.
Distribution. Extremely common. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Variety of habitats. Inhabits open deciduous woodland, parks, and suburbs, usually with enough cover, like dense trees, bushes etc.; also higher up in mountains and remote areas, where less common.
Food. Invertebrates, among which many earthworms, and fruits.