A Birdwatcher’s Guide to the Blackbird

2 min read
A Birdwatcher’s Guide to the Blackbird

These handsome birds are members of the thrush family, and the males are one of our most recognisable garden visitors with a bright orange beak and ring around the eye (the female’s colours are a more muted brown). Blackbirds are known for their beautiful, melodious song. There are resident blackbirds all year round in the UK, and they are joined by blackbirds from Europe in both summer and winter. Blackbirds are omnivorous and have adapted well to our garden bird feeders, feeding at ground level when cover is nearby, and enjoying nesting in small parks and residential areas. They hunt small amphibians, lizards and even mammals, as well as earthworms, insects and berries and they love sunflflower hearts too. Blackbirds are fiercely territorial and you will rarely see them socialising together, although blackbirds that migrate are more gregarious than resident birds. Fascinatingly, they only use one eye at a time and are one of the only animals to display unhemispheric slow- wave sleep. One half of the brain sleeps while the other is semi-awake and on the look out for danger - a defence strategy also used by some dolphins, whales, seals, quail and chickens.

The male blackbird performs an elaborate courtship dance to win a mate, who goes on to lay two to four broods of up to fifive eggs between March and August in a cup-shaped nest lined with dried grass. Eggs are incubated for twelve to fourteen days and chicks flfledge at between ten and nineteen days. Blackbird nests are notoriously poorly concealed from predators, often situated in ivy or a tree but sometimes at ground level. Blackbirds used to be caught as pets, and could be taught to mimic song - they can also copy other birds’ calls. According to Celtic folklore, blackbirds are one of the oldest animals in the world (along with the stag and the trout), and in Ireland it is considered good luck to see two blackbirds together. Blackbirds featured in a song used as a coded message to recruit crew for Blackbeard the pirate - “Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye, Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.” Sixpence was thought to be the generous wage offered by Blackbeard to crew members, rye was what the sailors called whiskey, and the blackbirds baked in a pie refers to a trick Blackbeard often used concealing his crew to tempt sailors to his ship before attacking them.

Ready to deepen your connection with the birds in your garden? Discover more about your feathered friends and how to attract them to your space with Amidst the Birdsong: A Garden Birdwatcher's Journal. This beautifully crafted journal is the perfect companion for anyone looking to observe and learn about the birds visiting their garden. Start your birdwatching journey today – click here to learn more.

Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is an 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.

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • What to feed the birds in summer

    Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    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.

  • Support

    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.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

Start Your Bird Food Subscription

Shop our bestsellers

From our popular seasonal bird food to the Squirrel Buster squirrel resistant bird feeder, our range is designed to help you to create a haven for little birds in your garden.