The males live up to their name but, confusingly, females are brown often with spots and streaks on their breasts. The bright orange-yellow beak and eye-ring make adult male blackbirds one of the most striking garden birds. One of the commonest UK birds, its mellow song is also a favourite.
Key ID Features:
The adult male has an all black body with yellow bill and eye ring.
Immature males are duller black, with brown wings and a dark bill.
The female is dark brown with variable mottling on the breast and a duller yellowish bill.
Generally feeds among leaf litter with a staccato hopping motion and aggressive posturing with raised tail.
Overview
Scientific name: Turdus merula.
Family: Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Where to see them:
Found everywhere in gardens and countryside and from coasts to hills, although not on the highest peaks.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Insects, worms and berries.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
