The Garden Blackbird: Traits, Nest Building, Gestation Period, and Feeding Habits
The blackbird (Turdus merula) is one of the most familiar and widespread garden birds across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Belonging to the thrush family, it is known for its melodious song, adaptable nature, and striking appearance.
Traits
Male and female blackbirds have distinct appearances. Male blackbirds are jet black with a bright yellow-orange beak and eye-ring, while females and juveniles are brown with streaked markings on their chests, providing them with excellent camouflage. They are medium-sized birds, measuring 24-27 cm in length with a wingspan of around 34-38 cm and weighing between 80-100 grams.
Blackbirds are territorial, especially during the breeding season, and males often engage in aggressive displays to defend their area. They are solitary or seen in pairs, although they may gather in small groups outside of the breeding season.
One of the blackbird’s most distinguishing characteristics is its beautiful, flute-like song, often heard at dawn and dusk. The song is a mix of rich, melodic phrases, making the blackbird one of the most celebrated songbirds in gardens and woodlands.
Nest Building
The female blackbird is solely responsible for building the nest. She chooses dense vegetation, hedgerows, trees, ivy-covered walls, or even sheds and outbuildings as nesting sites. The nest is built low to the ground, typically 1-3 meters high, to provide shelter from predators.
She constructs the nest using twigs, grasses, and mud, shaping it into a sturdy cup-like structure. The inner lining is made of soft materials such as moss and feathers, ensuring warmth and comfort for the eggs.
Gestation Period and Eggs
Blackbirds typically have 2-3 broods per year, sometimes even four if conditions are favorable. Breeding occurs between March and July.
The female lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs, which are pale blue-green with brown speckles. She incubates the eggs alone for 12-14 days while the male continues to defend the territory and provide food.
Once the chicks hatch, they are blind and featherless, relying entirely on their parents for warmth and food. The female stays with the chicks in the early days while the male brings food. After 13-16 days, the chicks fledge (leave the nest) but remain dependent on their parents for another 2-3 weeks before becoming fully independent.
Feeding Habits
Blackbirds are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant-based and animal-based foods. Their diet consists of:
- Insects (worms, beetles, caterpillars, spiders)
- Berries and fruits (rowan, holly, elderberries, apples, and cherries)
- Seeds and grains, particularly in winter when other food sources are scarce
They are ground feeders, foraging by hopping along lawns and flowerbeds while flicking aside leaves to uncover food. One of their signature behaviors is pulling worms out of the soil, which they do with quick, sharp tugs.
During breeding season, blackbirds focus on protein-rich diets (worms and insects) to feed their chicks. In autumn and winter, they rely more on berries and fruit. Gardeners can attract blackbirds by providing soft fruits, soaked raisins, mealworms, and sunflower seeds.
Conclusion
The garden blackbird is a highly adaptable and charismatic species, recognized for its beautiful song, territorial behavior, and ground-foraging habits. Their ability to thrive in gardens, woodlands, parks, and urban areas makes them one of the most cherished birds in Europe. With their careful nest-building skills, multiple broods per year, and varied diet, blackbirds continue to flourish in many environments, bringing life and song to any green space.