Blackbird

Blackbird standing in short grass

The pleasant warbling of the male blackbird forms the foundation of the dawn chorus in woods and gardens everywhere. From February, or even earlier, its brightens any dark morning and is a welcome harbinger of spring.

The blackbird is perhaps our most well known bird and can be seen in gardens all over the UK. Unlike its less common cousin, the song thrush, blackbirds, especially those that live in urban areas, are not shy. They have little fear of man and will feed happily close to people.

Frequently seen hopping on the lawn in search of worms or accompanied by a brood of hungry, speckled youngsters in spring and summer, the blackbird is a garden favourite throughout the year.

What do blackbirds need?

  • Blackbirds spend much of their time foraging on the ground, or among leaf litter. 
  • During spring and summer, they take a variety of insects and larvae from the ground in lawns and borders. They also feed on insects gleaned from the foliage and branches of trees and shrubs.
  • They eat earthworms throughout the year, especially through late summer into the autumn.
  • From late summer through to mid winter, blackbirds feed on various fruits as they become available.
  • Young blackbirds are fed mostly on earthworms and an increasing number of adult insects as the season progresses.
  • The moist, humid conditions created by a thick shrubbery with a rich leaf litter, and appropriately managed lawns provide ideal conditions for the earthworms and insects blackbirds eat.
  • Blackbirds need thick vegetation in which to nest and usually nest against the trunks of densely foliated small trees, shrubs and climbers. They will also nest in or outside of buildings, under brush piles or among logs and frequently use a variety of other nest sites.

Register for Homes for Wildlife today and receive advice on how to help blackbirds, and other wildlife, in your garden by clicking on the link to the left.