Common Blackbird

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Common Blackbird
Common Blackbird
Common Blackbird

Common Blackbird

Turdus merula


Breeds September-December. Builds a cup-shaped nest of grasses bound with mud in a tree, shrub, low bush or tree hollow. Competes with native birds.


Details Description
Type
Bird
Group
Thrush
Identifying Characteristics

The male is black with a yellow orange bill and eye-ring with black legs. The female has a dark brown plumage with some streaks and mottled patches. The bill is yellow-brown. Size 25-26 cm.

Distinctive Markings

The adult male is black overall with a bright orange-yellow bill and eye-ring.

Diet

Omnivore, feeding on invertebrates, seeds and fruit, Scratches in leaf litter, lawns and soil.

Habitat

Gardens, lawns, parks, orchards, woodlands, forests and watercourses.

Native Status
Introduced
Sounds
A mellow fluting call with harsh chattering. "tseee".
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Turdidae
Genus
Turdus
Species
merula
Common Blackbird
Native to Europe and Asia. Distributed throughout Victoria, Tasmania, south-eastern South Australia and southern New South Wales.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples: