Description

The Common Blackbird was introduced to Australia at Melbourne in the 1850s. The male is the 'black' bird, with deep orange to yellow bill, a narrow yellow eye-ring and dark legs. The female is a brown bird, with some streaks or mottling, and has a dark bill and legs. Immature birds are similar to the female with lighter underparts.

Similar Species

The Common Blackbird is not readily confused with other 'black' birds as it is much smaller than most Australian birds with a similar colouring and has a distinctive yellow eye-ring.

Distribution

The Common Blackbird, was originally confined to Melbourne and Adelaide, but has gradually expanded its range throughout south-eastern Australia, both on the coast and inland, as far north as Sydney, and including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.

Habitat

The Common Blackbird is most often found in urban areas and surrounding localities, but has successfully moved into bushland habitats. It is often seen in orchards, vineyards and gardens, as well as along roadsides and in parks.

Feeding

The Common Blackbird eats insects, earthworms, snails, spiders and a range of seeds and fruit. It mainly forages on the ground, probing and scratching at leaf litter, lawns and soil.

Breeding

The Common Blackbird builds a cup-shaped nest of dried grass, bound with mud, and lined with fine grasses. It is usually placed in a tree, shrub or low bush, but they will also use tree hollows.

List of References

• Image - birdlife Australia, Common Blackbird, digital photograph, accessed 5 December 2022, https://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/common-blackbird
• Text - birdlife Australia 2022, Common Blackbird, Last modified June 2022, https://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/common-blackbird
• Background - birdlife Australia, Common Blackbird, digital photograph, accessed 5 December 2022, https://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/common-blackbird

To find the Cache

S33 28.(22/07/2022)(05/08/2022-22/07/2022)(22/07/2022)
E150 55.(29/07/2022)(22/07/2022+29/07/2022)(22/07/2022-15/07/2022) 

This cache forms part of the 🐦🏠 series