Blackbirds - Hebridean Birds - Western Isles Birds - Birdlife and Bird Sightings in the Hebrides Western Isles Birds - Blackbirds can be seen pretty much anywhere in the UK - still they are pretty - and they are often one of the first species to start singing in the morning and one of the last to stop singing in the evenings. Lovely black birds with yellow bills.
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Blackbirds - Western Isles Birds
Female Blackbird -Stornoway Castle Grounds
Western Isles - June 2009
(Click Image for Larger Pictures)
Blackbird - Stornoway Ref:Bla1000
Blackbird Ref:Bla1001
Immature Blackbird Ref:Bla1002
This blackbird was waiting to be photographed - Stornoway Castle Grounds - Jun 2009
The little blackbird enjoying the peace on a Sunday in Stornoway Castle grounds
The young immature blackbird was seen at Newmarket - Western Isles
Female Blackbird Ref:Bla1004
Female Blackbird Ref:Bla1005
Female Blackbird Ref:Bla1003
A lovely blackbird amongst the large mushrooms in the Stornoway Castle Grounds
Just about to start on the mushrooms was this lovely blackbird
A female blackbird - Western Isles Bird Sightings
Bird Overview - Blackbirds
Family
Thrushes
Latin name
Turdus merula
Population
Common
Similar Species
Ring Ouzel
Description
Only the male blackbird is actually black with the distinctive yellow bill and eye ring. Females are a mixture of browns - with paler throats and breasts. It is also not uncommon to see patches of white feathers (part albinos). The young blackbirds are reddish brown with strong spotting on their underparts.
Size
25cm
Habitat
The blackbirds like all types of woodland, copses and undergrowth which is probably why they love the Stornoway Castle grounds.
Food
Snails, earthworms, insects,spiders,berries and other fruits.
Voice
Alarm call 'tak tak' which is accelerated into a shrill scolding when the blackbird is agitated. The notes are formed together into phrases.
Breeding
Can have 2-3 broods between march and August. They build up a tidy cup nest of mud and mosses - stems and roots. Blackbirds nest in trees, bushes. hedges. They have 3-5 eggs which are brooded mainly by the female and incubation is 12 - 14 days with the young fledging at 13 - 15 days.
Misc. Info
Watch these birds on lawns when they have their heads cocked to one side - this gives the appearance that they are listening - in fact they are watching - keeping a look out for predators etc.
