The Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula) is also called the Common Blackbird. It is a thrush from Europe, Asia, and north Africa.
The Eurasian Blackbird is black with grey legs, a yellow-orange beak, and yellow eye-rings.
Eurasian Blackbird
It grows to 29 centimetres (12 inches) tall.
It likes woods and gardens. It is territorial, and will defend its territory.
It is omnivorous, eating insects, worms, berries, and fruit.
The female Eurasian Blackbird builds a mud-lined, cup-shaped nest from grass and leaves. She lays 3-5 bluish-green eggs with reddish-brown blotches, which she incubates for 12–14 days before the altricial (blind and naked) chicks are hatched. Both parents feed their chicks for up to three weeks after they leave the nest.
It has an average life expectancy of 28 months.
Eurasian Blackbird
Eurasian Blackbird
Eurasian Blackbird
Eurasian Blackbird
[Location of photographs: Tbilisi, Georgia]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM