Blackbird
Turdus merula
‘Lofty soloist’
One of our commonest and most widespread birds, the Blackbird is also the source of one of our best-loved songs.
Song notes:
Blackbirds like to sing from a high vantage point, such as a chimney stack or a branch in the crown of a tree.
The song carries well. In urban streets, they are often the only bird singing. The sound can be particularly noticeable and welcome here, echoing between buildings at dawn and just before dusk in the spring.
W.H. Hudson described the sound as ‘nearer to human music than any other bird song.’
The tone is often perceived as relaxed and mellow, particularly in contrast to its shoutier, more repetitive cousin, the song thrush.
The alarm calls of the blackbird come in stark 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 sometimes 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 may also hear a high-pitched ‘tsee’ call, which is given when there is a bird of prey overhead.
Similar species: Mistle Thrush
Media credits:
Alarm call audio by Fintan O’Brien, visit the original longer recording on Soundcloud
Blackbird on rooftop image Image by succo from Pixabay.