Common Blackbird (Turdus merula)

OTHER NAMES: Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") merula ("blackbird")

Adult male Common Blackbird (subspecies T. m. merula) at Geddington, Northants - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Turdus merula merula
Weight: 100g  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: 34-38cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Blackbirds are easily the most common of the thrush family, being present in large numbers in most habitats throughout the year. They are also found in urban environments as much as rural ones and they will come to bird tables (although not bird feeders) and can be pretty bold with humans making them pretty easy to photograph. The best time for photographs is probably Autumn and Winter, if only because the leaves are off the trees so they are far more visible.

Further Information:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies: T. m. merula, T. m. azorensis, T. m. cabrerae, T. m. mauritanicus, T. m. aterrimus, T. m. syriacus, T. m. intermedius      

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant breeding resident (5,100,000 pairs) and very abundant Winter visitor (10,000,000-15,000,000 birds)

 - Seen in virtually every location including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Pitsford Reservoir, Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto