Common Blackbirds
Common Blackbird (male)
Common Blackbirds are an introduced species in Australia. Their range here is south of a line from Sydney in NSW to Port Lincoln in South Australia and they are found throughout South Eastern Australia, including large parts of Victoria and Tasmania. They are particularly found in parks and gardens where they enjoy scratching around in the leaf litter and mulch for their food. Many gardeners despise the Common Blackbird for their untidy habit of flicking bark, leaves, mulch and sticks on to their nice neat garden paths.
Beautiful Songbird
The Blackbird may be an introduced species, it may have untidy eating habits but this is more than made up for by its beautiful song. There are few birds in Australia that can match the song of a Blackbird singing in the late winter or spring evenings. It fills the air with a rich melodic harmony.
Breeding
We didn’t have any resident Blackbirds in our garden here on the outskirts of Murray Bridge South Australia until a few years ago. The occasional visitor, yes, but not resident. Now they have moved in and have started breeding. Several times they have used an unusual nesting spot. They fly into a shed in my wife’s nursery through a small gap above the door. They then proceed to make a bowl shaped nest in one of the many empty plant pots we store in the shed. How lovely and cosy – out of the cold, the wind and the rain.
Common Blackbird (female)
Photos
Despite them now being resident I find that “our” blackbirds are quite timid and are rather camera shy. It was with great delight that today I have been able to take some close up shots of both the male and the female (she is a dull brown colour) fossicking for beetles and worms just outside our sunroom window. This makes a perfect bird hide for photography.
UPDATE:
- This article has created quite a deal of interest. Read the comments section below for the experiences of other people with Blackbirds.
- Related articles: Do Blackbirds Swoop? An article about aggressive bird behaviour with many interesting comments and observations from readers of this blog.
- For more articles about Blackbirds nesting read
- “Anyone for a Swim? Forget it Baby Blackbird”
- “Hear the Blackbird singing in the morning”
Follow my Twitters
Trevor
It seems the blackbirds have stopped singing [usually around this time of year]—maybe something to do with hot weather and /or the mating season? they are sorely missed,the day seems empty without their songs
cheers Rob
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for your quick reply to my query on our dead baby Blackbirds. We really miss them busying about the garden. It is so sad to see their empty nest, which was so beautifully built.
We have quite a large amount of bird life in our garden, many of which are native. This I am sure is due to the large amount of native trees in Aberfoyle Park.
I have often heard that Blackbirds are a threat to our native birds. I was wondering why? They seen quite timid to me and I have never seen them bother other birds. They certainly build their nests in unusual spots which I believe, other birds would never consider. They forage around for food in our garden mulch which is abundant with beetles and worms etc.
Is it possible for native birds and some introduced, to live in harmony? Do you know of any statistical data?
Regards, Jan
Hi there Daniel – Common Blackbirds are an introduced species and are regarded by some as a pest, mainly because they can be a nuisance in scattering mulch in gardens, as well as digging up seeds and seedlings.
A much more serious concern, however, is that they are denying native birds a very valuable food source. Our native species are under enough threat already through human interference to the environment that they don’t need this additional threat.
There is probably some competition also with nesting sites but that may have only a minimal effect on native birds.
On the plus side, Blackbirds and their young do provide a very valuable food source for some native species. Owls and other birds of prey, currawongs, magpies, butcherbirds, ravens and kookaburras would all feed on the eggs and nestlings of the Blackbirds. Some reptiles would also benefit from this food source.
In answer to Robin’s question – the song of the Common Blackbird is largely confined to the breeding season from July to December.
Jan – I have largely answered your question in replying to Daniel above (#153). I don’t know if any research has been done in Australia on what effect introduced birds have on native species.
I watched a young yellow beaked black bird go into 3 of my bird houses that are being prepaired for nesting by long term residents, and clean the nest out. Is this normal? I have never had a problem before. Thank you for your responce.
I have 2 male black birds in my avery they are 20 years old and have with them large parrots,15 years ago i bred some young ones than i gave the females to a friend of me.The old birds stil sing very nice.regards Willy
We have blackbirds nesting in the shed . They have made a nest in a bucket of wire on the top shelf. They will fly in and out while my husband is working in the shed and feed their young.We look forward to the messy garden bed as this signals the arrival of the nesting season and the beautiful bird song. Dorothy.
Thanks for sharing your experiences Dorothy. Blackbirds certainly are wonderful song birds.
Hi Trevor,
we have blackbirds nesting on the top step of my husbands ladder (leaning against the house!). We were quite excited when the mummy bird had 4 eggs and they have now hatched. They seem to be getting used to us walking by…. I would like to know how long from when the babies are born to when they try out flying for the first time? I need to block off an area from my old retriever girl (14.5years but still has the bird/duck instinct).
Hi there Teresa,
The eggs generally hatch in 12 – 14 days after the last egg is laid. The babies then fledge (fly from the nest) in 13 – 15 days on average. The young usually leave the nest on the same day – sometimes over 2 days.
It is 11am, and the blackbird that has been constantly singing since dawn is still going. I have not had any decent sleep since this started a couple of weeks ago. I can understand people say it’s a beautiful song when it’s in the evening, but not in the mornings, I’ve had enough. Do you know why they do this? We also have many other bird species in our garden including red wattlebirds, currawongs, Indian and noisy mynas, magpies and rosellas, but the blackbird is the only one I NEED to get rid of for my sanity. I know you had a previous forum on this topic and I’ll try some of the suggestions such as rubber snakes, but is there any other methods of removing blackbirds without affecting the natives?
I have a small back courtyard regularly visited by two male blackbirds – a young spritely one, and and older, slower ‘senior’. They have always foraged in the garden on and off through the day, but never together. Recently the younger male has had a chick in tow, and I noticed the other day that all three birds seemed to be ‘hanging out’ together. Does anyone know if this is common behaviour amoung the species? Do blackbirds behave at all like the mynah birds, where older aunts and uncles help care for the babies? Thanks for any help you can give to this query.
Hi there Paul,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. This one slipped my attention and I’m sorry for the delay in answering.
The Blackbird – most bird species in fact – sing for several reasons. During breeding season – spring for most species in Australia – they are marking their territory. The song lays claim to that part of the world and warns other males to keep out. The other reason birds call is to keep contact with others of its own kind – in the case of Blackbird it would be keeping contact with the female sitting on the nest. The Blackbird also has a very pronounced warning call, telling others that danger is near (eg a predator). Many other birds also have warning calls.
As for getting rid of the singing bird which is annoying you I have no suggestions for possible solutions. Sorry about that.
Hi there Rachel,
Communal and cooperative nesting and feeding and raising young is fairly common in a wide range of species. I’ve not personally observed this with Blackbirds but it doesn’t surprise me.
Trevor
We had a blackbird come in a few weeks ago, built her nest underneath a verandah at eye level with our kitchen window, had 3 eggs last week and was constantly in and out sitting on them. We went away on Friday night – she was in the nest – and returned on Sunday night. There has been no sign of her since we returned. Nothing has been done to upset her. I’m devastated. Is this normal behaviour? I’m assuming she needs to be on the nest – particularly in the evening when it’s cooler – to hatch the eggs? I’m thinking she has come to grief somehow while we were away. I’ve searched the yard but there is no sign of her.
Hi there Robyn,
Welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by and for leaving comments and a question.
Sadly, the death rate for nesting birds is very high. The fact that the female was constantly on and off the nest seems to indicate that she may have been inexperienced at sitting on eggs. Perhaps she was too young to know how to do it properly. Normally the female stays on the eggs for an extended time, rarely leaving the nest to feed. There have been many males observed actually feeding the female while she is sitting. Other pairs take it in turns to hatch the eggs.
The fact that she has not returned to the nest means that those eggs will not hatch. Leave them for a few days and if nothing happens remove them. If you want to, you can leave the nest there and it may be used again later in the season, either by blackbirds (even the same pair) or another species of bird. Many species nest 2-5 times in a season.
If she has disappeared completely it probably means she has died or been killed. This can be caused by predators (cats, dogs, hawks, owls – even snakes). Or she may have become the latest victim of road kill.
Try to put it out of your mind and enjoy the other birds you have in your garden. They can be such a delight. That is what my bird blog is all about.
Thanks Trevor. Seems like I will have to move on! Just one thing – she built her nest on top of our outdoor umbrella which had been folded up and stored during winter. When I saw her building her nest I decided the umbrella was hers. If she doesn’t come back to the nest in the next few days and I take the eggs away, how can I remove the umbrella and put in another device to keep the nest safe? And what should that device be?
Is it possible to put up some hanging baskets? Doesn’t matter if they have plants in them – this is probably preferable as it hides the nest. Worth a try anyway.
Hi Trevor,
I live in Victoria and today I found a baby bird, which I believe to be a black bird, laying on the grass in my back yard. It is still alive however very cold. I warmned it and have placed it in a box on some tissues. It is not very old, It has min feathers, nearly bald and eyes are still shut. I know that these birds are generally considered a pest but I couldnt just walk away…now I dont know what to do with it.. Any suggestions
Kind Regards
Megan
Hello, thank you so much for your wealth of information regarding the Blackbird.
I googled Blackbirds, and here i am!
We have had the pleasure of watching a Blackbird couple build an amazing nest in our patio, on top of our Elkhorn, she then layed her eggs, and we have had the chance to watch her babies be born and grow at an astonishing rate! This has been a wonderful experience, especially for our 2 children that have been totally delighted watching this transform! I have kept a photo diary of this, and i will treasure these pictures for years to come.
Over the last day or so, we have been surprised that Dad has almost taken over the parenting role, and really havent seen Mum at all? Is this normal do you know, or could Mum have found herself in trouble?
I have some great pictures, if you are interested in seeing them, i would gladly forward them onto you, once again, thanks for this information, it truely has been a great help!
Thanks for this Sharnee,
Normally the female hatches the eggs and then both parents share the feeding of the young. Occasionally the male will take a turn incubating the eggs too.
There is a possibility that the female has been taken by a predator (hawk, owl, snake, cat, dog, or is a victim of roadkill).
Yes, I’d like to see 2 or 3 of the best photos. Use the “Contact” form at the top of this page.
Thanks for your quick responce Trevor,
good news, Mum was back tonight to watch of her rapidly growing young! There really is no room for her now, so she is sitting just off to the side of the nest.
dad did do a bit pf the incubating, this truely has been a very interesting and very rewarding experience to witness, i never thought blackbirds could be so intriging, considering, i am by far a bird ‘lover’, although i think that may have changed a little!
many thanks again for your wealth of knowledge, and ill send on some pictures of our Blackbird family,
Sharnee
Hi Trevor,
I’ve currently got a blackbird nest in my backyard, and a baby blackbird running around in the backyard. The parents are still around and appear to still be feeding it. Just wondering if it is normal for the babies to run around for a few days before learning to fly?
Cheers
Naomi
Hi there Naomi,
Have you have strong winds recently? This can often blow young birds out of the nest prematurely by a few days. Another cause is if the baby was spooked by something – a predator (cat, hawk etc) – or even someone getting too close to the nest.
This is a quite common occurrence and can often result in the demise of the baby bird. The fact that the parents are still feeding it is good news. In a few days it will ‘find its wings’ and be more independent and able to escape most threats.
Hi Travor,
Terrific blog, great to read all these intresting stories. Just over a week ago we’ve found a baby black bird in our enclosed courtyard. It seems fine and the parents have been coming back twice a day or so feeding it. We’ve also left some water and bird seeds around the courtyard in case it’s getting hungry. It has feathers and looks ok. However is it normal that they are using their wings when hopping around (is this because it’s still a baby and it’s just a bit clumsy?) We are worried that it might have done anything to its wings? We are unsure what to do? I really would love for the little one to start flying. Also, do you think it would feel lonely? Would be great to get some feedback.
Thanks heaps.
Kristin
Hi there Kristin,
Sorry about the delay in replying – I’ve been away from home with no internet access.
How did the baby Blackbird go?
Many times baby birds leave the nest a few days early and struggle to survive as a result. They can be blown out of the nest by strong winds, or they can be frightened out by predators (cats, snakes, hawks, currawongs, magpies etc) or even frightened away by humans.
This often results in their death – sad but a fact of life. For this reason many birds breed 2-4 times in one season, laying 2-4 eggs each time in the hope that 1 or 2 will survive until adulthood. It’s a tough world out there.
Thanks for visiting my site.
We’ve butcher birs here for yrs, unfortunately for the last 18mnths or so they’ve stopped singing. Can you think of any reason for this? They seem to hav had some young in that time though.
gidday Trevor.
Spent the last five weeks raising a baby blackbird. Gradually started taking it outside to forage, then early this week it stayed out overnight. Saw it again the next morning and gave it a good feed. It protested being being taken indoors again, so I let it stay out again. havn’t seen it since (two days now) what do you think its survival chances are? How far do they range?
Hi there Steve,
At that age the Blackbird is ready to be fully independent. They normally range over a relatively small area, perhaps an acre or two depending on the vegetation, availability of food and whether others will chase it from their territory. Survival rate in most smaller birds is low as there are so many predators out there – hawks, owls, cats, dogs etc. That is why Blackbirds (and many other species) breed 2-5 times a season, often attempting to raise 3-4 young in the hope 1 or 2 survive to adulthood. Tough world out there.
Hi Jane – I have no idea why the butcherbirds in your area have stopped calling. That is most unusual behavior. Bird calls are not for our entertainment or pleasure – they are usually given to announce their rights over a territory, or to warn other birds away. Sorry that I can offer no explanation for this change in behavior.
Hello Trevor,
A few weeks ago I began to notice a couple blackbirds hanging around my hanging basket of Tahitian Bridal Veil. Since I discovered they were nesting in it (i think it is really funny also) I have enjoyed and discovered the nesting pattern of this type of bird. Tonight I took a photo of what I think is their the only offspring who was standing up on the side of the basket but the little thing jumped out on the the ground. It ran so fast before I could finally get hold of it. But as I tried to grab the baby, the mother came back and tweeted so very loudly at me, and literally followed me closely too – within a few feet of me. I tried to put the baby back in the basket, but it jumped out again. I managed to get it to stay in the basket again and I went indoors. She kept chirping and behaved as if she was guarding the whole area – I just wanted her to jump back into the nest and look after the baby. I would like to know if I have done damage to their environment – will the baby be rejected because I held it? I feel so awful now.
Hi there Tennille,
No damage done – it sounds like the young bird was ready to leave the nest anyway. Even when it does leave prematurely, the parents will follow it and feed it.
Hi Trevor,
I watched with delight as a couple of Blackbirds made a nest under my pergola just before Christmas but since then nothing.
They just built it and left it, I still see them around the garden but they don’t go near the nest.
Do you think they will ever use it?
Tony
Hi there Tony,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a question.
It is near the end of breeding season for many of our birds, including the Blackbirds. With all the hot weather we’ve been having I doubt if they will use that nest now. Next spring they may refurbish the nest (if it lasts that long) or even use some of the materials over again.
We have had Blackbirds re-use a nest in an empty plant pot in a garden shed because it is completely out of the weather.
Just stayed tuned – they will nest again in late winter or early spring.
I have raised a beautiful little female blackbird( total fledgling, no covering what so ever ) which I found on a driveway, she was covered in ants and was almost at the point of death. To-day she is healthy and very cheeky. One problem she likes her food placed in a bowl of water. I feed her fresh berries and the best steak. She loves to bath everyday but why does she only like her food placed in the water. Lives out in an old Mulberry tree but returns inside every evening. She and the budgie are great mates and Christmas ( the blackbird)knows how to let Joey out of his cage, this she does with great delight .How can I teach her to source her own food. I have put lots of soil in trays and hide food there for her, she scatters it all over the place but does not eat the food. She spends her day playing in the old tree and replies to me when I call her and actually dances to a tune I whistle for her. She is such a delight.
hi, we had a nest of 5 baby black birds but the magpies an cats got 4 of them i have taken the last 1 into a cage to give fight chance, as tail feathers still not come in have i done the right thing ? mum not been seen dad still around ocasionaly at a distance
Blackbirds are a major pest.
1. Their song is nonstop Aug-Dec with their irritating high pitch, waking people up from 3AM, and going ALL day. We have so many lovely native species here but this thing just takes over – it’s a nightmare with no escape. They carry on thru other months with other irritating noises thru the year.
2. They wreck all the mulch in the gardens, leaving spaces for weeds.
There is a remedy, but it takes patience. In the winter when they are on the ground (once Spring is here it is too late as they’re up in the trees singing) you need to set rat traps under bushes etc where they dig, with strawberries and cherries. But remember every day counts as once Spring arrives….
Wrong Shane, you are a pest, blackbirds are native so live with it, and you better not use traps as this is against the law.
Thanks for your comments Shane and Tennille.
Let’s keep the debate polite please.
As owner and moderator of this blog I reserve the right to accept or reject any comments, and to close them if I so choose. This I have only done on one occasion.
The facts are:
1. Many people love the call of the Common Blackbird.
2. Some people hate the call and the mess that Blackbirds cause.
3. Common Blackbirds are an INTRODUCED SPECIES in AUSTRALIA. Therefore they are not native and therefore not protected by law here.
4. There is an active education awareness and eradication programme to keep this species out of Queensland where it is steadily increasing its range.
re blackbirds songs– I invite anyone to listen and see if blackbirds repeat themselves in their short phrases;, they never do! –Even tho they go all day, and the sound is unique to each bird–also the harmonic intervals are extemely ‘modern’. Such musical genius should be protected. As far as being an introduced species, no doubt that applies to most people’s ancestors in Australia regards rob
in what way moderation–let me know so can change ? Thanks
Hi there Robin,
Thanks for visiting and for leaving your comments adding to the debate.
Like many blogs, mine has moderated comments. The main reason for this is to prevent spam comments being posted. In the 4 year life of this blog about birds I’ve had nearly 3,500 genuine comments. In the same time my spam filtering programme has prevented 140,000 spam comments – usually made by people of doubtful moral character (eg porn).
I encourage genuine, helpful and insightful comments like yours. The debates here can be very interesting.
I also allow genuine differences of opinion, like Shane’s rant about the call being annoying. I can stop comments on any posting – and have done so – only the once. One reader tried to high jack the debate by strongly pushing her very narrow religious beliefs. It was way off topic, so I close the debate. Call it censorship if you like, but I made the tough call after giving my reasons. The debate was turning very nasty.
Other forms of my moderation include:
1. Occasional editing (eg spelling corrections). I usually don’t have time to do this.
2. Deletion of offensive comments (eg swearing)
3. Deletion of personal attacks on me or other readers – this is very rare – and I always give reasons.
4. First time commenters always need my approval first – second and subsequent comments are automatic. This is a second line of defence against spam comments.
Hope this helps your understanding of moderation. If you want further clarification feel free to add comments – or contact me via email to do it offline – the details are on the “Contact” link on the task bar at the top of each page.
I’ve just had a telephone call from my partner who is at home working on his Phd. He tells me he can see Mrs Blackbird from our kitchen window “gardening”. We are priveledged to have had two families build a nest in our hedge and raise their chicks. It broke my heart when the chicks fledged and left. When Mr Blackbird is out singing his beautiful song, my partner mischieviously challenges him. One can almost see Mrs Blackbird perk up and is all ears until she sees where the whistling is coming from. We absolutely love our blackbirds and can’t wait for the singing to start.