Things you need to know about BLACKBIRDS!

A short fact file about the Common Blackbird, including information about their diet, their appearance, how and when they nest and much more!
The blackbird is the fourth most common garden bird in the UK and a familiar sight around parks, gardens and woodlands across the country. Despite their name, only the males are truly black, females are dark brown and young birds have a more mottled brown colouring. Males also have a bright orange or yellow beak and eye ring, these are much duller in females and absent in young birds. They have a wingspan of 35 to 38 centimetres and grow to around 100grams in weight. They often move around by hopping rather than running and sometimes have their wings dropped and their tails raised as they do so.
Blackbirds are omnivores and will adjust their diet in line with the seasons, during the spring and summer they feed almost exclusively on worms and other invertebrates but during the autumn and winter they switch to eating mostly berries and fruits. They have a habit of wiping and insects they manage to catch on the ground or through grass to clean any dirt off before they eat.
Blackbird pairs hold territories throughout the year but during the colder months they allow other birds to enter and pass through without much resistance. However, come the spring time their territorial behaviour peaks and they become aggressive towards other blackbirds. It is during this time that the pair begin nesting, and when this depends a lot on the weather. In cold springs nesting can start as late as the end of march or even April but in other years it can begin from early February onwards. Research has also shown that blackbirds in towns and cities start nesting earlier than their countryside counterparts although if this is down to the increased artificial lighting or higher temperatures is not completely clear. The female alone creates the nest which is a cup shaped structure of twigs, leaves and other plant material lined with a thin layer of mud and grass. This is usually less than 2 metres from the ground amongst dense vegetation. Each clutch consists of 3 to 5 speckled blue eggs which the female incubates alone for 13 to 14 days. From here both parents feed the chicks who develop really fast. They usually fledge at around 14 days but can leave the nest and survive from as early as 9 days if it is disturbed. At the point of fledging the young cannot fly and spend several days on the ground whilst they find their wings. This can unfortunately result in a lot of them falling prey to cats or being unnecessarily rescued by well meaning people who assume they are injured or out of the nest too soon. Once the young have fledged the male does most of their feeding and after a further 2 to three weeks the youngsters move away from their parents territories. Each pair can produce 3 or sometimes four batches of young in a season and with the final clutch of the year they share out the parental duties a bit more. Each adult takes care of a portion of the fledglings which increases their chances of survival throughout the coming winter. Blackbirds mate for life and from the outside appear to be completely monogamous, however this isn’t always the case. Studies have shown that although a pair stay together, up to 17% of their eggs are not genetically related to the male with which the female is mated.
In the UK there are around 5 million pairs of blackbirds and this number swells to 15 million birds in the winter when some migrate here from Scandinavia and western Europe. A lot of young blackbirds do not survive to the point of fledging the nest with only around 30% of nests resulting in fledged young but if the birds survive to this stage they have an average life expectancy of 3.4 years. In extreme circumstances they can live for a lot longer than this with the oldest wild bird on record making it to 20 years and 3 months of age.
#blackbird
#gardenbirds
#ukbirds
Some of this footage was obtained using creative commons licences. Here are the originals.
• Kos černý - Common Bla...
• 12 Day Old Blackbird C...
• New Baby Blackbird
• Black Bird Chick - dec...
• Garden Blackbird Nests...
• musträstas Common Bla...
• musträstas poegadega 1...
• Blackbird in the Prive...
• Turdus merula KampfMit...
• Merle noir (Turdus m. ...
• Feketerigó - Turdus me...
• Blackbird foraging on ...
• Two male blackbirds fi...
• Morning Tea Blackbird ...
• Чёрный дрозд Описание ...
• Blackbirds Breeding
• Blackbirds Feeding You...
• Blackbird
Thumbnail image: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@henriettahenson]

My blackbirds have lived in my garden for the last 20years the male of the original pair is still alive... His off spring are prolific in reproduction... The old male is still trying to hold his own and is so tame he wonders in my kitchen and even the dog takes no notice of him..... I feel very privileged to have been apart of this birds life sultanas are his favourite and he demands them everyday by pecking at the backdoor..... Just to let everyone know ERIC. MY blackbird died this summer 2023 he is now buried in my garden that he loved so much.. He had a very long happy life with us. RIP my sweet little friend 🙏😢🌹

[@46metube]

How utterly glorious.👍🏻

[@shamrockisland]

They live for 20 years ??

[@henriettahenson]

@@shamrockisland yes it's seems so,,,,, he's a bit bedraggled his wings ara a bit droopy and he doesn't fight with the younger ones any more.. I think it's the safety of our walled garden and sultanas as a main diet keep him going... he is a lovely old thing.... and expect I will find him dead one day but that's life....When that time comes I will bury him of. Course in the garden he's guarded and loved for so many years... His off spring live on and are with us everyday 💕🕊️

[@madworld5762]

Lovely experience from your garden

[@jameswest4692]

I dont want to doubt you but Wiki ( that fountain of knowledge) says an average blackbird lives 3.4 years and the oldest recorded is about 21 years. Are you sure its the same bird, lol?

[@ChrisBreemer]

I totally adore blackbirds. Their singing is one of the most beautiful sounds on earth, especially at dusk when they sit on rooftops and have lengthy and intent conversations with one specific peer some houses further on. Moments like that, especially when there's no human noise to interfere, I feel as if all is well with the world.

[@yalnevatekofreedom5096]

Do you adore them at 4am

[@jonathangmallender]

I so agree, it's such a beautiful song they sing, and always is the perfect ending to warm summer nights. They're my favourite bird too!!

[@pigmentpeddler5811]

this is why i have an air rifle next to my window

[@AA-69]

Have you tasted them yet ? 😋

[@jonathangmallender]

@@pigmentpeddler5811 Sorry I thought this video was about blackbirds, Then I saw your picture and realised it must be about fat, ugly, disgusting pigs instead, my apologies. Top tip - try turning your air rifle around - the world likes a bit of gammon

[@thealternativeview2692]

There's one who sings from top a telegraph pole outside my kitchen window every night. The song of life I call it. Absolutely magical.

[@RyanKeane9]

Love it. Try recording it and slow it down, it’s amazing 🎈

[@asha4736]

I rescued a young blackbird from a cat in 2012, and now 10 years later (and a house move! We moved about a block and she found me again) she's still with us. It's been really neat to see her find a husband and raise their clutches every year- and shriek excitedly when I go outside in case I might have food for them. When I'm gardening, I have a dish that I chuck any undesirable bugs into and she/the husband are quite confidant in running up to me to eat them.

[@ReggieChump]

Toxoplasma Gondii (Most prolific parasite known to mankind) & an estimated over 275-million small animals and birds tortured to death every year in the U.K. Cats are disgusting. You'd think any decent human being would stay well clear of them.... Knowing the excrement and urine they will be producing on their neighbour's property.. just proves how horrible we all are.

[@queenbrightwingthe3890]

@@ReggieChump Stay mad bot.

[@asha4736]

@@Hypnobreast The oldest recorded age a blackbird reached was 21 years so, uh, yeah they certainly do

[@HerrEngelsman]

​@@ReggieChump this is true

[@selinainsel6198]

Just loverly heartwarming story THANKYOU for sharing x

[@offbeat65]

Blackbird's song always strikes me as one of the most beautiful things on this planet. It is especially touching when it bounces off echoey city walls. Interesting fact: these vocalizations have localized characteristics, just like human languages and dialects.

[@markshrimpton3138]

I had a cock blackbird who mimicked my pet cockatiel who he could hear in our front room. He also had absorbed the sound of the nearby corner shop’s alarm going off.

[@seemoore]

What a lovely song it is on a summer evening after a hot summer day, just lovely

[@smallfeet4581]

​@@markshrimpton3138 😂

[@bordersw1239]

There’s a piece for flute ‘ Le Merle Noir’, inspired by blackbird song.

[@Zootsings]

Yes. A song that finds its way to the heart in an instance. Peace and beauty

[@marychadburn9302]

I picked up a baby blackbird a few years ago and it was injured,a vet gave me some powder to sprinkle under its wing.. I tried to get it to fly away but it wouldn't go it lived indoors,then one day after nearly 2 years it decided to go.I felt very privileged to have had the pleasure it brought me.😊

[@soifpls]

They're so cute 🖤 I love everything about them, their wonderful songs, their hasty demeanor, the way they rummage through fallen leaves to find insects, the intensity with which they bathe, projecting water everywhere lol, and simply their perfect shape and cute face. I love all birds but these ones have a special place in my heart 🥰

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thats nice. I am a big fan of blackbirds too. Its great that something which is perhaps a bit less colourful than most birds still has a lot of appreciation!

[@soifpls]

@@farbenfroh7279 thank you ! I spoke with my heart 😊

[@azrani2023]

@soifpls Same here!!! :) last winter a blackbird honoured me with his presence on my balcony day after day. i can't tell you how grateful I am to hear someone else say they find them CUTE!! Bill - as I named him - really was so stinkin fluffy and cute I loved him. Hope he's alright wherever winds have blown him :')

[@soifpls]

@@azrani2023 the fluffier the better !! There's a whole family of blackbirds in my garden (I've seen a couple of times an adult male surrounded by 4 juveniles) and one of the babies is so ROUND and fluffy 😍 he seems to really enjoy the apples ! I hope Bill is safe and healthy (he probably is ! Blackbirds are clever and extra cautious !) 🤗

[@azrani2023]

@@soifpls your reply brought yet another smile to my face! i can totally picture that fluffball in your garden to be the cutest thing 😍 all the best to you!

[@MM-yi9zn]

Blackbirds are truly smart. I just love them. And beautiful & caring to their young. Big respect. And to all birds. The world is so much better with them.

[@simshogun2240]

We have lots of blackbirds and the same family lines for many years, I had a tame one I rescued and she used to go everywhere with me and would happily go in the car and she used to love going in the tractor through the roof and sitting on the dashboard, she bought her young to see me on the ground where I misted them with water and they washed and played; I had her for 7 years until the bad winter got her and I still miss shouting her in the morning for her corn flakes and bowl of water on the kitchen table for her breakfast.

[@BirdBath1]

sim shogun, look at bird bath

[@brunostapf7256]

NoHu

[@sally6074]

What a special thing to happen to you.

[@thymetrees]

You made it special for her too. Thank you for your caring heart!

[@nigelhammond7642]

How beautiful

[@HollyJordan15]

I love blackbirds and their calls & vocalisations especially in late evening; I find it really comforting.

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

Yeah yeah

[@stephenfennell]

I agree 100%. A blackbird singing on a quiet evening fills one with a kind of peace and awe and joy.

[@ep1phany62]

My favourite bird, purely because how curious they are. They don’t seem to be scared of humans that much, and seem to watch us a lot. Beautiful song too.

[@user-vy4kh6jk1t]

Their birdsong is out of this world. A spiritual experience for me❤.

[@freebird7017]

We live in Germany and I love the blackbirds. They’re called “Amsel” in German. We always have a pair or two nesting in our garden in the hedges. One year we had a paIr right next to the front door. They got used to our comings and goings and 3 lovely plump fledgelings made it to adulthood. Right now, we have a pair nesting right next to our terrace. And another pair further away in the garden. I often see one of the males bathing in our pond. Most entertaining they are.

[@UmVtCg]

Yes and they are called "Merel" in Dutch

[@HILAL19564]

@@UmVtCg true

[@Ihateyouyfga]

In Slovakia they're called "drozdy"

[@Asdrubale88]

​@@UmVtCg In Italian it's "Merli"

[@luisdecolmenares2009]

Mirlo, in Spanish.

[@jimmarshall2757]

There is nothing like waking up to the sound of Blackbirds singing. ❤️

[@josiehoyle9314]

Flipping double glazing 🙁

[@tornadostories]

I made friends with a blackbird around 2005 by feeding him raisins. He came back multiple times a day for months. My Mum named him Fred. He was a lovely character. He even used to land on the window cill behind me whilst I was eating my dinner at the table. When he landed behind me, I heard a light sound, and my family would say that Fred was knocking on the window for his dinner 😄

[@johnbird789]

i had a female blackbird last year, that no matter what time in the morning i got up, within seconds she would be on the kitchen door handle waiting for me to let her in, i have footage on my youtube, also slow motion birds flying out of my kitchen straight at me

[@tornadostories]

@@johnbird789 Great video. That's proof right there of just how tame and brave they can be if they are befriended 🙂👍

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

My mom has tamed several blackbirds using raisins. They really love them. She'd even had one that would tick on the window like your Fred.

[@tornadostories]

@@Marco_Onyxheart That's awesome

[@alanchalkley565]

I have just spent the week with some friends of mine in Rayleigh, Essex. They have a black female cat which has started spending more time in their garden where a pair of blackbirds have nested in a bush. I was worried about the situation but to my astonishment, during one afternoon in the garden, the cock bird showed incredible bravery and literally chased the terrified cat back indoors. I love blackbirds anyway but I have even more admiration for them after this incident.

[@rongablue]

Great! I was awakened at 4am to the sound of a frantic male blackbird. A cat was sinisterly prowling up the tree to the mother in the nest.

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

I once watched my cat eat a whole blackbird in one go, minus the head 😕 all those feathers 🤢 and toward the end i could see its foot sticking out of his mouth 😂

[@TREVASLARK]

@@thenoobalmighty8790 😢 Mine killed a blckbird once too. Didn't eat it though. Why couldn't he have nicked one of those agressive magpies, or annoying doves ?

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

@@TREVASLARK magpies and doves are nice. He needs to go after the stupid pigeons and blasted sea gulls

[@TREVASLARK]

@@thenoobalmighty8790 No pigeons or seagulls around here !

[@bitbybitfarmseast3085]

We did rescue an adult male with a damaged wing. He can’t fly. We knew fish and game department would euthanize him, so he happily lives with us. He seems content and very glad to see us in the morning. Thanks for an informative video.

[@theeroom]

Hi I've just rescued a female black bird that was attack by a cat, left wing looks bad and it's left leg also. Any tips and advise on caring for it?

[@bitbybitfarmseast3085]

@@theeroom sorry to hear about the injury. If she can stand on the leg, you might support wrap it. Having 2 injuries is a tough challenge to overcome. We treated Rusty's wing wound with Vetricin and it healed, but couldn't re-set his wing. We had him for about a year Sadly, about 10 days ago he died. It was worth it to give him a chance. He became a happy friend. Who knows how old he was.

[@TheCraigy83]

@@bitbybitfarmseast3085 the same black bird in my garden has been there since i moved in 6yrs ago , it has a distinct ''wuppididy doo '' sounding call song & adds a touch of car alarm / ring tone to his calls , so i know its the same bird

[@stephenboyd4934]

I've have one in my garden every day & very confident as won't fly away when I move around.

[@stephenwain7928]

Welldun.they.are.veri.intelligent.birds.

[@rhiconic]

We had a pair of Blackbirds that had a failed nest and the need to feed young was so strong that they fed the young Robins that were also nesting in our garden , we had very big Robins.

[@mikkibubble4711]

My favourite bird ! About 11 years ago, I met my first BB, a male, in one of my shrubs. I did some potting close by when I heard him softly singing. I tried to mimic his song, and he always replied. We became close, and often sing for hours in a duet. I noticed that BBs learn new songs by taking on sounds not only from other BBs, but also from the environment. My BB took on some melodies from me, and he also imitated car alarms! Every BB has its specific songs. I could easily tell, if “my” BB was close by. He LOVED mealworms soaked in water. I also offered him several water trays in various sizes. The large ones he used for bathing. Sadly, after a few years, he did not come back into my garden anymore. I fear one of the many cats killed him, as he was more than 8 years old by then and much slower moving (needless to say, I cannot stand cat owners who let their cats outside to roam around in the neighbourhood). I miss him terribly.

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

So nice to stumble across a KZbin channel that isn't about culture wars or partisan politics. This is what life is really all about - blackbirds.

[@andrejajurecic1050]

🐦❤

[@CZ350tuner]

Our tame Blackbird is 8 years old. We feed him currants & sultanas all year round and he behaves like a pet. He is larger than the average Blackbird. During the breeding season the currants & sultanas are marinated in water, to swell them up for the chicks, as he is constantly at the kitchen window or next to me, in the garden, asking for food. During the moulting season he hangs out in the garden and we feed him, whenever he asks. He likes my company and will hang out with me, settling down inches away,, burbling quietly to me, if I'm in the garden. He likes to be talked to.

[@BirdBath1]

Andy Reid, look at bird bath

[@malaika2940]

I throw out grapes for my couple of blackbird families - their preference is black grapes.

[@theresabrennan7118]

Blackbirds are my favourite. They come down to my window and ask for apples.

[@maeterith1984]

@@malaika2940 I will try black grapes. Mine is t interested in green grapes.

[@operator6471]

really lovely.

[@terryhorne2582]

A beautiful bird with a song that relaxes the soul. I have one that comes up to my window & looks in to see if I am in my chair to give him food, sometimes when I don't see him, he will knock on the window & run to his position under the window for food. A very nervous bird though, but beautiful.

[@rachelcaullay172]

I will never tire hearing blackbirds sing. Beautiful ❤️

[@helenajordan3074]

Writing from North Island NZ. I shared my garden with female blackbird for over 10 years. Fiercely protective about her "patch" and chased off her babies once they could look after themselves. One day she allowed her daughter to stay with her for a couple of days and then she flew off down into the wooded bushland and I never saw her again. Her daughter took over her patch and now she has gone and the garden is shared with her daughter (and male partner).

[@angeladawn805]

We have a couple in our cabbage tree (Invercargill) - he's ripping up moss at the moment (presumably to get bugs) - now that I know they switch diets, I'll start putting wild bird seed out

[@kiwicol9699]

@@angeladawn805 They don't eat the wild bird food I put out but love the sultanas from a separate dish. They along with waxeyes and other birds are always at a small dish of fresh mixed berry jam and water. Fluids are also important especially during summer.

[@arthurgordon6072]

I have a dish of water on my deck for my aged cat that she shares with a family of blackbirds here in Auckland NZ.

[@Jamtomgill]

Two pairs of blackbirds in my garden, Wellington, NZ, doing a very good job picking the moss from my garden. Love watching them.

[@Tiberium10332]

I once had the chance to see a nesting pair from my window during the holidays. I saw the chicks from being blue eggs to the last one leaving the nest. Since than, they have a special place in my heart.

[@SatanenPerkele]

Blackbirds have always been my favorite "garden" bird. Their singing is gorgeous. They used to be a rare sight and only live in forests. But nowadays you can see them in urban an rural areas.

[@Tom_Quixote]

Yes, there's something divine about the way they are singing in the evening.

[@2008giles]

Lovely to see the comments below of the joy which blackbirds have brought so many people. I have always found the males to be more tame than the females, and just love the variety of song and melody during the long summer evenings. I particularly love how they know how to attract our attention and when they bring their offspring along and feed them in front of us.

[@cpyart]

I have a female that has landed on my shoulder but the male never gets closer than 3 metres. The female will stand at the bottom of my feet. ❤

[@OmmerSyssel]

In 1800 these birds were shy and staid away from human beings. Now they are forced to settle among us... Even in my time Eurasian Jay has changed from extremely shy to comfortable with human beings.

[@stephenfennell]

​@@OmmerSysselThat is very interesting., Ommer. I have often thought similar things about bird behaviour changing over time. I'm inclined to think sparrows are bold and cheerful when there are lots of them together, but when their numbers decline (as they have around here due to nearly the whole street ripping up their gardens and concreting them over for their cars), they seem nervous and inclined to hide.

[@chiarabay9364]

The best birds in the garden. Can’t live without them.

[@copferthat]

I get many varieties of colourful birds in my garden but it would be hopelessly diminished without our Blackbirds. They are a bit special.

[@BirdBath1]

copferthat, look at bird bath

[@brostenen]

True. They are one tough bird as well. And they are everywere, and plenty of them.

[@rjjcms1]

Often the first bird song heard when it's starting to get light,and one of my favourites.

[@copferthat]

@@rjjcms1 Yes, only a song thrush can beat the song of the Blackbird and they have become alarmingly rare where I am.

[@marlenaforbes-reidy9876]

I adore the Black bird, I had one as a garden pet named ‘Tommy’ who would visit me every day for 5 years, Tommy used to fly down and sit beside me most days when I fed him. He knew his name, then one day he never came back. I miss him dearly ❤️. New Zealand.

[@reindeer-o-stoole]

😥

[@georginamahoney649]

Marlena , I truly believe that those who touch our hearts, be it bird, animals or human we shall meet them again and they will know us, love is eternal xx

[@marlenaforbes-reidy9876]

@@georginamahoney649 Yes Georgina I couldn’t agree with you more. We are the caretakers for our animals be it domestic or wild they bring their special energies to the planet and humanity. ❤️🌟❤️

[@simonetta-ta]

The blackbird sings so beautifully ‼️‼️

[@dannjp75]

I’m up at 4am everyday and take great pleasure in sitting outside and listen to the blackbird on his usual perch signing his heart out.❤

[@garryduxbury4794]

nothing makes me smile more in the evening than blackbirds perched high singing to each other pure joy

[@anna-rexia]

The most beautiful songs come from these almost plain looking birds. I adore them ❤

[@raedgaj3878]

Also, Blackbirds recognise habits quite easily, like if you feed them at specific times. I have 3 pairs that visit my garden at different times of day, & the females will actually call for me to scatter the mealworms if I'm late. They are very friendly & trusting birds, & I feel honoured they have chose my garden to frequent.

[@samjp3626]

Thank you....but you didn't mention anything about their wonderful repertoire of song! Best song bird in the world to me, love them. ❤ We're lucky enough to have a garden full of them.

[@manonamountain]

Had an injured one, stay with me for a couple of weeks. He seemed a little reluctant to leave, and would happily take worms etc from my hand. When he did eventually fly off, i've never been as pleased to see him recovered, and off to get on with his life again.

[@carolwalmsley3362]

How lovely you are ❤

[@newforestpixie5297]

A couple of springs ago one of the blackbirds in our back garden would sing a tune which started with a catchy ‘ jingle ‘ of separate notes or chirps - followed by a lot of extremely quick ones. After hearing this same tune repeated for a week or so I would mimic the first catchy bit which to my surprise was returned immediately ! This carried on throughout the summer when going into the garden. The following year I listened out for the familiar tune but they didn’t appear to re use that sequence of notes - so I was patient for a few weeks but it wasn’t used - so I whistled it at them. A while later my tune was copied by the blackbirds - and they haven’t stopped using it ……I love them . One has an unusual white patch of feather colour on her / his head 👍 many thanks for your work from near the western coast of new forest

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Also had one, white n black, a piebald, I believe, back in early 2000's, who'd knock for Ritz cheese filled crackers.

[@davejohn4990]

We have a male with a white spot on his head this year 2023

[@TREVASLARK]

🥰🥰🥰

[@kikidevine694]

​@@suzyqualcast6269tbh I would too!

[@_Obey_]

Blackvirds are my favourite birds. Their song is sooo beautiful and I love the cute orange beak and eyering. In winter I was so happy hearing the blackbird everyday after sunset, it made the season way less depressing.

[@Admodeus]

Theres one of these birds I keep seeing in my garden and about the town. It has a broken leg, I found it amazing how it was able to keep going on one leg. It sits on fences and lets me walk up pretty close for a look, just sits and looks back at me. I've now noticed that it has a missing tail, it's flying about the place like a delta wing plane. Poor thing has had a tough time, but is still going.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

They're tough birds. I used to do wildlife rescue work and blackbirds are fine with just one leg. The tail should grow back in time too.

[@TREVASLARK]

@@AShotOfWildlife Good to hear that !

[@Bertil_Lundin]

Blackbirds are also among my favourites. We see (and hear) them a lot in Sweden. If you are near a bird and you start to whistle a simple tune the can start to imitate and interact with you. Thanks for sharing Liam and have a good Monday! // Bertil.

[@BirdBath1]

Bertil Lundin, look at bird bath

[@edwinafogg7179]

Our resident blackbird, the latest of many generations living in a yew tree near our 17th century house regularly has a song conversation with me. I starts with his tune "We're off to see the wizard ". I copy this and then he repeats adding beautiful trills and melodies ,to my delight !

[@stephenfennell]

The first tune of the last movement of Beethoven's Violin Concerto is a good blackbird kind of tune. In fact I wonder if Beethoven borrowed it from a blackbird.

[@Justabluebirdsinging]

​@@stephenfennell the beginning of the 5th symphony by Beethoven was sung by a blackbird living in my neighbourhood😂 If you are skilled in the secret arts of ornithomancy make yourself ready for a journey into magic and wonders🙂

[@williambrislen201]

They seem to live for a substantial time here in NZ. I have seen one with a distinctive single white wing feather over a period of 8 years.

[@user-wickedflower]

Ive had a pet blackbird called Turdis in NZ, he proudly brought his baby thrush to see me in the garage when he was teaching her to fly. He was always with her until she went off presumably to find a suitable male & marry. They are amazingly clever birds but he was real special to us as our first real interactive wild bird.

[@lpalm5235]

Oh my gosh! I just rescued one here, in Waimakiriri, South Island, NZ. This is going to freak my family out...Haha.

[@lifeliver9000]

They are problem in my vege garden. Pulling out seedlings, burying small plants when digging deep, nipping corn as it pops out of soil. We have to use netting to keep them away. They are good singers but not as good as the garden thrush I reckon

[@gibbogle9486]

They develop white feathers with age just as we do.

[@Nobilangelo]

I live in a native forest here in New Zealand, and I found many years ago that blackbirds love cheese cut into little cubes (about 2mm edges), as do the beautiful doves that also live here. They love it so much that after a lot of patient waiting for them to become used to me, some eat it from my hand. The first to do that was a female, and she did it for many years till she died. A male now likes to wait for me to open the door in the mornings, then comes quickly to my hand to eat as much as he can before an arc of doves come down to take over. He prefers my right hand, but will move to my left if a dove takes my right. So I may have a beautiful white dove eating from one hand and a beautiful blackbird at the other. Some blackbirds are so skilled at following through the air bits of cheese tossed towards them that they will catch them in their beaks. At first they would flee from the tossing movement of my hand, but then they realised that it was not saying 'Shoo!' it was where the food was coming from. That was the first stage of their becoming tamer. Next was coming close to my hand to peck up bits of cheese that fell from from it, then they would pluck up courage and dart in to take bits directly from it. They remain wild, but are tame enough for that. They recognise the sound of my door opening, and my whistle, and as many as twenty will come from all round the nearby part of the forest. At nesting time the ones that come to my hand will go back and forth between me and the nest, ferrying beak-fulls of cheese to their young. Then the chicks come and the ferrying is now only metres.

[@lpalm5235]

'Lovely!.

[@phoenixrising5088]

How wonderful❤

[@stephenfennell]

Just glorious when they learn they can trust you and come so close!

[@quinnerefc]

I love listening to blackbirds singing in the garden, so relaxing. They put so much effort into their singing

[@mondoprime]

Blackbird song is one of the most peaceful sounds in the world

[@BirdBath1]

Mondo Prime, look at bird bath

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@BirdBath1 I think you may have issues.

[@thomasneate1684]

Cool, its hard to find information about the black bird. I live in Australia and Blackbirds are considered a pest here,( Imported in the 1850's ) but I was handed a baby after he was hatched accidentally by whipper sniper, apparently the nest was destroyed, the female bird and other eggs did not make it, but Chewie was found on the grass, taken to a vet, then handed to me and I have raised him. In Australia, its against the law to let a non native birds into the wild, also domesticated birds are not allowed to be freed and wild birds are not allowed to be kept as pets. Chewie is more than 3 years old now, healthy, Happy and playful as ever, I think he will out live me! He costs a fortune to feed and has freedom inside my home, no cage, he's good company.

[@derekhobbs1102]

Used to be able to apply for permits for native birds in SA, not sure about now though.

[@lpalm5235]

Good for you following your heart. The system has no heart. Love and Light to you and Chewie. My rescued blackbird of 24hrs is a female and I have named her 'Live,' NZ. We do not have such un-human laws with birds, that I am aware of. But we do as you know in these times have a wannah be North Korean leadership style. Best to you.

[@saskiapanter]

The Blackbird is very prominent in the Netherlands as well, we call them a Merel. I love their songs, they are the most beautiful of all birds imho. Whenever I hear them start to sing in the beginning of the year, it makes me happy and a bit emotional, knowing spring is coming ❤

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

Remember the poem "A blackbird singing'?? And The Beatles's 'Blackbird singing in the dead of night'? - Great tributes!

[@spudgun889]

We have a tame female. She’s been back here now for 4/5 years. We feed her mealworms and she come up to the door and peers through the windows to get our attention. She’s had several chicks and some even squabbled with her trying to take her patch, our garden. We named her Jenny 😉 We thought she may not come back this year but she did, just really late.

[@andyliv78]

Oddly enough I tried feeding live mealworms but the blackbirds went for the little chunks of fat ball. The sparrows just pinched the live mealworms; my plan backfired!

[@leeetchells609]

@@JenXOfficialEDM hi there, blackbirds in Europe are not crow family but look similar only much smaller. We do have small crows called jackdaws that live in colonies and are a nuisance when they build nests in your chimney!

[@veryvarley6706]

Glad to see other people mention the looking through the windows aspect. Mine regularly tap on the windows with their beaks whenever they see me moving around inside. Grapes, and apples at this time of year tend to get the best out of my crew and all day blackbird song ( although the 3-4am start to their jam session is not always welcome ).

[@lpalm5235]

Oh, I didn't sleep well, Just rescued a female blackbird, 24 hours ago. And she was trilling away for quite a long time. I thought I was dreaming and maybe she was in distress. Now you are saying she is like a rooster, haha.

[@TheFunctionalForce]

I love that they keep my veggie patches free of slugs while not touching any of the veggies themselves! They do make a “mess” sometimes but nothing that can’t be quickly tidied up and I’m so grateful! I also love how loud they sing at sunset!

[@logannasty3240]

Birds in urban habitats, including pigeons, magpies, crows, often have remarkable skills that allowed them to adapt well. The blackbird sings long, complicated compositions, full of improvisation that stands out among birds. In Budapest too, their signing is a signature of parks and green districts. This was’t always so, a century ago they were shy, living in the countryside, out of sight for most humans.

[@abdulomar5878]

Is not singing it’s a prayer they do that’s why it’s more intense during sunsets and sun rise. On a side note, Just imagine if the sun never sets one day randomly who would bring night for us

[@Exiledk]

I have two pairs in my garden. The one male bird has been a resident for the past 3 years. We feed them all year round. He is quite tame, not afraid if me. A constant companion when I dig the garden.

[@JulieWallis1963]

That’s lovely. I guess he has learned to trust you and the more they trust you the friendlier they become.

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🌴🐝

[@portcullis5622]

The song of the blackbird is one of the most beautiful sounds in the British countryside.

[@eddiek0507]

I have a Blackbird's nest just outside my front door, in a small bush. They successfully raised some chick's last year. To my delight, they have come back again this year, using the same nest. They have already been successful in raising this year's chicks and have now laid a second clutch of eggs...😀👍

[@clmclachlan]

I came from a birding family in Canada and when I moved here to Spain I found I was "bird illiterate". An entire lifetime of bird recognition and knowledge rendered immediately useless in the new environment. My favorite, right away, became the blackbird which I nicknamed "The Business Bird" because he's "all about the business" - so intentional, direct and efficient. Love that Business Bird he makes my day whenever I see him.

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

A birding family??

[@clmclachlan]

@@thenoobalmighty8790 What? You never heard the term "birding"? You know - people who like to watch birds?

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

@@clmclachlan yeah, its called birdwatching you NOOB HAHAHAHA 😂

[@tocraneandcrane]

That's such a sweet name for blackbirds, and surprisingly apt! I'm from Northern Europe and the blackbird has always been one of my favorite bird buddies around here. I also get the impression that they're very direct. They're always up to something, very energetic, and they seem to glare intensely at me whenever I pass them by haha.

[@tttcloud7285]

I have had blackbirds in the garden for years last year they built a nest 🪺 on our garden ladder completely exposed I felt responsible for them there were five chicks I was praying our jackdaws wouldn’t touch them . They are currently in the garden now 😊

[@russellgerrard3944]

Got a pair nesting in front garden and a pair in the back garden. Very Busy parents coming and going to and from the nests with beaks full of food. 😊

[@tttcloud7285]

@@russellgerrard3944 bless them I love watching birds 😊

[@lpalm5235]

'Cool!'

[@galboy7899]

My favourite blackbird was "whitespot" he had a distinctive mark over his left eye, friendly but not too friendly, but an absolute joy to watch, and a hawk got him and there was nothing I could do , we still miss him . 😕

[@stephenphillip5656]

The sound of a male blackbird singing in the evening is something special. OK, he's hurling insults at his neighbours but it is beautiful! Family friends had a blackbird who'd tap on the window for food. The youngsters (blackbird!) picked up on this & *they* tapped. The blackbirds would also tolerate wife's approach in the garden to feed them.

[@davidpatrickallen4653]

There is nothing more beautiful than the Blackbird's song on a summer evening.

[@europeanhoneybuzzard8328]

This channel never disappoints me with it's content.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers! I hope I can keep it up!

[@Kurrajongcoven]

I live in Canberra, Australia and have had the pleasure of having blackbirds in my garden for over 18 years. I remember on a hot summer day after Christmas years ago, I had a friend who visited me from Queensland and admired their birdsong. She’d never heard it before! I just love hearing them during our spring / summer and catch sightings of them in the dense shrubbery. Apparently too they on the decline here?

[@eliz_scubavn]

We have these in the garden. They got so used to us that they’d just sit in a branch in a bush or tree and watch. Several of them became brave enough to perch on hands, come into the house to see if there was food and even learnt to tap on the window or door to get attention. They’d get particularly upset if we hadn’t put food out by a certain time. One of them was very confident and worked out where we kept the bird seed and would fly in at any opportunity to help herself. We also had a one legged male blackbird who seemed to do fine despite it, and another male who had some sort of beak deformity, who again seemed to do fine and could eat and drink normally.

[@heatherbeattie741]

As lovely and friendly as Blackbirds are, I don't think it's a good idea to let them into your house. They are quick to learn and could become a pest and possible danger in an easy way to get food in a very short time. Stay safe and keep them happily outside.

[@AmataJo]

They are my favourite birds (apart from penguins) - the way their singing sounds reminds me of a fairy tale. Thank you so much for this video!

[@anserbauer309]

I once saw a blackbird in Germany which was entirely white, with the exception of a single tail feather, which was black.

[@nigelhammond7642]

I too have had the privilege of seeing an albino blackbird and I was told are forefathers considered it extremely good luck

[@anserbauer309]

@@nigelhammond7642 I'm fairly certain the one I saw was leucistic, rather than albino since it did have the one black feather along with black eyes.... but it was a wonderful thing to see.

[@peterclausen1379]

In Danish they are called "solsort" which directly translated means "sunblack"......and they have a beautiful song, both right after and right before sunset !!!

[@chrisbradley1192]

They have the best evening song.

[@patthewoodboy]

I have a vinyl record its called Under en sortsol , by a Danish/Norwegian band Lars Hugg is on guitar it dates from the very early 1980's , thanks for the translation

[@74yodinosaur99]

And when the sun comes back out after rain.

[@feydk]

@@patthewoodboy That's the other way around. Sort sol translates to black sun, and it can have a couple of different meanings, depending on context.

[@patthewoodboy]

@@feydk under a black sun

[@VimyScout]

And boy can they sing - beautiful !

[@juliedubberley1192]

Blackbirds are such hard working bird, they are the first up and about in the morning and the last to go to bed in the evening ❤❤❤

[@thefurrybastard1964]

If you're regularly in your garden a local blackbird can ebcome used to your presence and even interact with you. When I was a kid I used to do the gardening for my Dad, there was a Blackbird that used to follow me around so he could easily get at the worms and other burrowing invertebrates that my digging had exposed. Had a similar experience with Robins, but Robins are much bolder than Blackbirds.

[@BirdBath1]

The Batman, look at bird bath

[@anneinnes5691]

I’m glad to hear this as I have a blackbird nesting in my garage. I worried that my necessary use of garage would scare the bird off her nest so I talk to her all the time I’m in there, hoping that she’ll recognise my voice and not be scared. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she knew she was safe with me?

[@philipwhatcott1964]

Exactly what our blackbirds do. Follow me around whilst digging. Not afraid at all.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

@@anneinnes5691 I think she will, once she's used to you're presence and routine.

[@amaracardamine3837]

Bold, even bossy.

[@nicnak4475]

Anyone else heard a blackbird wolf whistle ? We had one a couple of years ago, who used constantly wolf whistle from a couple of nearby trees, was so funny ! 🤣

[@UnChannelDuVulpineX]

A local blackbird used to mimic a phone ringing.

[@mickmorrison]

We had a blackbird that would wolf whistle, it appeared the second year then never heard it again.

[@eleveneleven572]

They are notorious for imitating mobile and household phone ring tones. 😁

[@brianwilson49]

Love blackbirds. Beautiful and such a beautiful song.

[@missapippin9020]

Thank you Liam. Blackbirds are not native to Australia but I have been blessed with having one in our garden over many years. We are moving and I will miss the beautiful song of the blackbird. Thank you for another wonderful video ❤

[@Crashed131963]

In Canada our back yard has Grackles they look like small crows with a shiny blue head .

[@thomasshepard6030]

I’ve had the same male and female nest in my front garden for many years they nest in a thick rhododendron bush that gives them perfect protection from predators they are back this year 2023

[@yorkyone2143]

A Blackbird in my garden has incorporated the sound of a ringing mobile phone into his song, every time I hear him it makes me smile. 🙂

[@sallyb1689]

On the M32 expressway into Bristol city centre, a blackbird had his territory on top a very tall street lamp. You could hear his beautiful song above the noise of the traffic and the city. I still remember him fondly ❤

[@motorhead4870]

They also wake up really early, I walk the dog first thing in a morning and the vast majority of birds you see when it’s still dark are black birds, a very occasional robin and magpie

[@brostenen]

It is 22:23 here and I can hear them outside. The tiniest bit of light and they are awake.

[@petersaula2304]

@@brostenen ''Blackbird singing in the dead of night, ........''

[@brostenen]

@@petersaula2304 I know. It is a good song. 🙂

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

I've heard they've become a garden bird relatively recently, hundreds of years ago they lived solely in the woods.

[@OmmerSyssel]

I'm sure the Eurasian Jay are slowly changing behaviour likewise... A bit saddening development, but beautiful birds to follow

[@barkershill]

Hundreds of years ago there weren’t so many gardens

[@user-sk7il1ur9s]

Everyone's talking about the blackbirds, but I'm really impressed with the presenter! Your enthusiasm is contagious; thanks for making these videos (and that young blackbird at 0:29 is really cute)

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I do really enjoy making these videos and I'm glad my enthusiasm comes across.

[@kikidevine694]

Nice to see other people who have a bond with a blackbird; I rescued one from my cat, and he now trusts me enough to feed out of my hand. I know it's him, because the local males all have a pattern of white spots on their chest, which makes it super easy to identify them all. I hadn't realized that they are so social with humans.

[@HelenaMikas]

Thanks Leum for yet another great video .When I lived in UK my house had some rambling roses that I ( being no gardener , never pruned ) A pair of blackbirds nested there each year very successfully.I love the way they stamp their feet to get worms to come to the surface ..Enjoy your weekend 👍:) Greetings from Berlin , Helena 🌻

[@teejay8258]

We had a nest once in our garden. It was amazing to watch the whole process, especially when the fledglings literally jumped from the nest in front of my eyes. I was worried about them, as I couldn’t understand why they were not flying! They came back the next year, but sadly, magpies took their eggs. Beautiful birds!

[@Wintermist-SWE]

We have a pair of blackbirds here at the house, they even had their nest right outside the door to the patio. Seemed like they used us for protection for it, we were so surprised to find the nest there :D On the other side of the house are birdfeeders (same height as balcony which covers that whole side) and they seem to share it just fine with the other smaller birds (and the local squirrels), but they did chase away a larger bird, crow or magpie, can't remember. They're adorable, the male especially as he seems the most brave and curious of them. He hopes about on other parts of the balcony even if out there.

[@thearcticlord3920]

We had a male blackbird with significant white markings on his left wing and tale. My wife dubbed him Marcel. We still see blackbirds in our area with odd white feathers and like to think Marcel is still with us in spirit.

[@ceolbeats7182]

I think I have some cousins of your Marcel 😂

[@marklynch3149]

I have a family of blackbirds living in my privat hedge.. The female was chirping at me last week, while I was digging the garden.. It's as if she was telling me to hurry up digging worms up.. She obligingly collected the worms I left for her, and flew back into the hedge to feed her chicks 🤣😊

[@brainbutter3127]

Awww mate, that beautiful accent. You make me miss the UK. Thanks for posting. Great stuff. Love from Alabama.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Haha, I think my accent is getting worse. I realised recently that I saw thee instead of they, not sure if that is a Norfolk thing though. Cheers

[@krakatoa1200]

We have several Blackbirds that visit our garden during the day. It's always a joy to see them. They do love the chopped apple we throw out for them.

[@Alpha_7227]

When David Attenborough passes this mortal coil, you should apply for the position. The way you communicate is brilliant - engaging, informative, eloquent. Cheers.

[@TheCelestialhealer]

Aww, thank you so much.. I love blackbirds, especially their di ging. My dad loves whistling to my mum and the blackbird copied him. Now he has got them both confused 🥳

[@tiger8linny788]

Thanks ever so much for this informative video, Liam! I’m in the States and have blackbirds nesting in my yard every spring. Have subscribed and look forward to more birds - I love them all❣️

[@ivanberggreen9787]

@tiger8linny Do you see many blackbirds in the States?

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you and a belated welcome to the channel. I hope you have enjoyed some of the other videos I have uploaded.

[@shaunnicholson-ul9xt]

Sping mornings and of the day wouldnt be the same without black birds ❤

[@johncalvin9703]

We have a resident pair, been with us for 10 years, absolutely love them to bits. The male has always had a damaged wing, we call him Wonky.

[@roberteastwood6937]

We have a place to feed birds in the winter. Many come when the snow and frost makes feeding otherwise difficult. We notice the beak colour difference. The one with the brightest yellow beak felt he had dibs on the food. It was entertaining particularly as he would be busy trying to chase younger (less yellow, no yellow, beaked birds), meanwhile starlings were calmly eating the grain. We enjoy the blackbird song at this time of year. They're up late singing. And they start early. We are in South Finland. I'd have thought they'd migrate but we see them all year around. Maybe the feeding keeps them here.

[@giuliom7428]

Have several of them daily in my garden. Put some mealworms, or crumbles, and some water for them to drink and bath. Their sound is gorgeous at the end of the day , and they're very respectful of other bird species, unlike starlings or magpies.

[@murphychurch8251]

They also keep an eye out and warn all the other birds. One day, the blue tits behind our house were fledging and a magpie was hunting the little blue tits. The blackbird was not having any of that and followed the magpie around, giving them a good talking to. It kept following and complaining and the magpie was visibly annoyed. 😂

[@sweetpea3795]

I love blackbirds, I have many of them in my garden and I love watching them.

[@Angelfeather100]

Very much enjoyed this post, thanks for it. The blackbird is my favourite bird amongst them all. I cruelly miss their beautiful song, I left Europe when very young and here in Sydney Australia one can enjoy their song only in the south of the country, in Tasmania. I usually put on a long play clip with their singing on KZbin and I reminisce about those golden days of my youth.

[@DJkitchenmixer]

Hi, in our small garden, we have a nest of blackbirds. It is a joy to see how the nest was build, how they fly out to gather food. And how the try to adjust to us being around... Now we hear the youngsters shouting for food... soon we will see them appear. Now I learned not to pick them out, once on the ground, think you for sharing this information.

[@thumper1747]

We love listening to Blackbirds and have a nesting pair in our back garden. I put out five old earthenware pot trays as baths and frequently clean them out and top them up. They’re in use by the time I get back inside. Lovely birds ❤️

[@WeatherNerdRN]

My favorite bird in the world! I love the way they sing.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

It's a beautiful song!

[@hugostiglitz6914]

I have blackbirds nesting at the bottom of my garden for the last ten years. Their young never made it past just about flying when I would either find them dead or missing. It turned out to be cats prowling the neighbourhood. So I installed a low-voltage electric fence around my garden and for the last four years, all the young have survived and it appears that they are two nesting pairs at the moment. The garden is big and I regularly see them fighting in the middle of the lawn where I reckon the boundary for their territory is!

[@rtfury6503]

Blackbirds have such a beautiful song. First thing in the morning and last thing at night.

[@BirdBath1]

Fury, look at bird bath