Eurasian Blackbird

1. Male is all black with a bright yellow bill and eyering

2. Female is brown with a buff throat and mottled underparts

3. Forages confidently on the ground, flicking leaves aside

Eurasian Blackbirds are omnivorous, feeding on earthworms, insects, snails, spiders, seeds, and fruit. They mainly forage on the ground, using their bills to flick aside leaves and probe the soil. In Australia, breeding occurs from September to January. The female builds a cup-shaped nest of dried grass bound with mud, usually in a tree, shrub, or sometimes a tree hollow. She lays 3–5 eggs per clutch, and both parents feed the chicks. Incubation lasts about 14 days, and chicks fledge after another 14 days in the nest. These birds are largely an invasive species as they spread invasive weeds and seeds and compete with native birds for resources.

Eurasian Blackbirds are widespread in southeastern Australia, from Adelaide through Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane, as well as in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. They are common in gardens, parks, orchards, vineyards, and along roadsides, especially where there is dense shrubbery or mature trees. Early morning is the best time to hear their melodious song from prominent perches, but they are most often seen hopping and scratching through leaf litter on the ground.

Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, the Eurasian Blackbird was introduced to Australia in the 185s by European settlers seeking familiar birdsong.