5 things you might not know about the blackbird

3 min read
5 things you might not know about the blackbird

The blackbird is one of the first birds most of us learn to recognise, and one of the most overlooked. I have loved them since a holiday in Norfolk, when I watched my best friend's grandfather feed one jam from a spoon. It was only ever blackcurrant jam, obviously, and looking back it wasn't the best choice! Here are five things about them that might change how you watch the one on your lawn.

1. Gardens are packed with them

A garden can hold up to 7.3 blackbird pairs per hectare, around ten times the density of woodland. The blackbird started out as a woodland bird, and towns suit it better. Urban blackbirds also have far fewer ticks: in one French study 74% of rural birds were infested, compared with 2% of town birds. All of which means they're doing pretty well living alongside us.

2. A male is more bothered by orange than yellow

Experiments show that male blackbirds react more aggressively to orange beaks than to yellow ones, and least of all to the brown beaks of first-year males. Females are relatively indifferent to bill colour, but respond to shinier beaks.

3. They can sleep with half a brain

Blackbirds show unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, which means one half of the brain rests while the other stays partly alert, ready to spot danger. Some dolphins, seals and whales do the same.

4. Their song can start in January

A first-year male can begin singing as early as late January, and the only months with no song at all are September and October. Blackbirds also mimic other birds, and have been recorded imitating car alarms and whistling. In the evening the territorial male gives sharp chink-chink calls to try to stop other blackbirds roosting on his patch, though it usually fails.

5. The oldest one was nearly twenty-two

The average blackbird lives for about two and a half years, but the oldest ringed bird reached twenty-one years and ten months. They are also rarely taken in by cuckoos: only three of 59,770 UK nests examined held a cuckoo egg.

A little blackbird folklore

According to Celtic folklore, blackbirds are one of the oldest animals in the world, along with the stag and the trout. In Ireland, people say it is good luck to see two blackbirds together.

Legend has it that the nursery rhyme Sing a Song of Sixpence began as a coded message used by Blackbeard the pirate to recruit crew. Some say sixpence was the wage on offer, rye was the sailors' word for whiskey, and the blackbirds baked in a pie referred to a trick he used, hiding his crew to tempt sailors to his ship. It makes a good story, though we can't promise it is true.

Until about the seventeenth century blackbirds were also known as ouzels. The name blackbird itself was first recorded in 1486.

What blackbirds like to eat, and where

Blackbirds feed on the ground, so scatter a little of our seasonal bird food close to cover and they'll go for the sunflower hearts, kibbled peanuts and suet pellets. Fill a Little Lantern seed feeder with it for the smaller birds as well, and the blackbirds will tidy up what drops. If you are not sure which feeder suits your garden, our feeding quiz will point you in the right direction.

Want to keep track of the blackbirds in your garden? Amidst the Birdsong: A Garden Birdwatcher's Journal is made for exactly that.

Want to read about more garden birds? See all the birds in this series.

While you're here

Because there's always something worth knowing about the birds in your garden.
Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is a bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

About A Little Bird Co.

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  • What to feed the birds in summer

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    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

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    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

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