The
common blackbird (
Turdus merula) is a species of
true thrush. It breeds in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been
introduced to Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, the
Falkland Islands, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It has several subspecies across its large range; a few of the Asian subspecies are sometimes considered to be full species. Depending on
latitude, the common blackbird may be resident, partially
migratory, or fully migratory. The male of the
nominate subspecies, which is found throughout most of Europe, is all black except for a yellow eye-ring and
bill and has a rich, melodious
song; the adult female and juvenile have mainly dark brown
plumage. The species breeds in woods and gardens, building a neat, mud-lined, cup-shaped nest. It is
omnivorous, eating a wide range of
insects,
earthworms,
berries, and
fruits. This common and conspicuous bird has given rise to many literary and cultural references, frequently related to its song. This female common blackbird, of the subspecies
T. m. mauritanicus, was photographed in the
Souss-Massa National Park, Morocco.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp
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