Common Blackbird

The common blackbird occupies a broad Palearctic range extending through Europe and northern Africa to the eastern coast of China. Introduced populations also occur in southeastern Australia and New Zealand. It readily inhabits gardens, parks, urban shrubberies, hedged farmland, and woodland, favoring dense vegetation when choosing nest sites. Males are black with bright yellow or orange bills and eye rings, whereas females are generally brown. Adults average about 25 cm long, span 34–38 cm, and weigh 80–125 g. (Animal Diversity Web)

ADW characterizes the common blackbird chiefly as a fruit- and seed-eater. Recorded foods include hawthorn, sloe, ivy, elder, bramble, and dogrose fruits, especially relatively large, energy-rich fruits with readily digested seeds. The species is socially monogamous, and individuals generally begin breeding at one year old. Territorial males vigorously repel intruders, while females may compete for nesting places. A typical clutch contains three or four eggs, which the female incubates for approximately 12–14 days before hatching. (Animal Diversity Web)