Common Blackbird

The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush. It is sometimes known as the Eurasian blackbird (particularly in North America, to differentiate it from the unrelated New World blackbirds), or just the blackbird in places where this does not cause confusion with a similarly-looking local species. It has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand and breeds in Europe, Asiatic Russia, and North Africa. Over the course of its extensive distribution, it has a number of subspecies; some of the Asian subspecies are occasionally regarded as whole species. The common blackbird can be resident, partially migratory, or entirely migratory depending on latitude.

The nominate subspecies of the common blackbird, Turdus merula merula, is distributed throughout most of Europe. The adult male has a rich, musical voice and is all black, with the exception of a yellow eye ring and beak. This species builds a tidy, cup-shaped nest that is tied together with mud to reproduce in gardens and woods. It consumes a variety of insects, earthworms, berries, and fruits since it is omnivorous.