Blackbird
Turdus merula
One of our commonest and most widespread birds, the blackbird is also the source of one of our best-loved songs.
The alarm calls of the blackbird come in some contrast to the song.
One is an explosive, clattering series of shrieks, given as it flies away from danger.
Another is a series of urgent ‘chuks’, typically made while the bird is perched and agitated by a nearby person, cat or or other potential predator. These often rise to a higher-pitched ‘chink’.
In winter multiple ‘chuk’ and ‘chink’ calls can often be heard just before dark, as each blackbird proclaims their own roosting spot for the night.
You might also hear a high-pitched ‘tsee’ call, which is given when there is a bird of prey overhead.