Common Blackbird
Turdus merula

> GENERAL >>>>>

– medium-sized passerine
– nocturnal migrant, local diurnal movements
– migrates singly, may flock at dawn

> FLIGHT >>>>>

– on migration and in general in flight, rarely seen in flocks of more than 1-3 individuals, as loose groups
– flight somewhat hectic and flappy over longer distances
– rarely flies high in open terrain (compared to Common Starling)

> VISUAL ID >>>>>

– medium-sized thrush, somewhat larger, longer-tailed and longer-winged than Common Starling
– appears quite compact in flight, and is the only thrush to be almost completely monochromatic, especially from a distance without contras


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, M 1CY
BIF2853, 08/11/2018, Helgoland, Germany, Roland Neumann

BIF122_MPU_I1Q9358_121024_cbbird_male_1W_d_north-sea
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, M 1CY
BIF0122, 24/10/2012, North Sea, offshore, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF302_MPU_I1Q6246_141127_cbbird_male_1W_d_wallendorf
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, M 1CY
BIF0302, 27/11/2014, Wallendorfer Kiesgruben, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF303_MPU_I1Q6253_141127_bbird_male_1W_d_wallendorf
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, M 1CY
BIF0303, 27/11/2014, Wallendorfer Kiesgruben, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF304_MPU_I1Q6257_141127_bbird_male_1W_d_wallendorf
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, M 1CY
BIF0304, 27/11/2014, Wallendorfer Kiesgruben, Germany, Mathias Putze


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, F
BIF2002, 21/04/2021, Prignitz, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, F
BIF2003, 21/04/2021, Prignitz, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, F
BIF2003, 21/04/2021, Prignitz, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, F
BIF2003, 21/04/2021, Prignitz, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> SOUND ID >>>>>


Common Blackbird Turdus m, merula, calls during migration
BIF0123, 21/11/2012, Baltic Sea, offshore, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF0124, 21/11/2012, Baltic Sea, offshore, Germany, Patrick Franke


Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, calls during migration
Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF1145, 02/11/2010, Altenfeld, Germany, Patrick Franke
– some slower modulated Redwing calls (4.6sec) may sound surprisingly similar, but Common Blackbird calls are usually less descending in frequency, slower modulated and clearly audible and visible two-voice


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF1146, 20/12/2016, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke
– note the variability due to different distance to the microphone


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, F AD, calls during migration
BIF1147, 28/12/2011, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF1149, 30/09/2012, Mühlheim, Germany, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF2640, 08/03/2017, North Sea, offhore, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF2641, 08/03/2017, North Sea, offhore, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF2642, 08/03/2017, North Sea, offhore, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF2643, 08/03/2017, North Sea, offhore, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls during migration
BIF2644, 08/03/2017, North Sea, offhore, Patrick Franke


Common Blackbird Turdus m. merula, calls in flight
Redwing Turdus i. iliacus, calls in flight
European Robin Erithacus rubecula, calls
BIF2956, 27/09/2017, Werbelliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Ring Ouzel (v)
Fieldfare (v)
Song Thrush (v)
Redwing (v) (a)
Mistle Thrush (v)
European Robin (a)

#passerine #songbird

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