Common blackbird

It is one of the birds most commonly seen in the city, where it has found its ideal habitat in parks and gardens. It can easily be come across in pairs, but never in flocks. In nature it lives 5 years on average, but bird ringing data reveal individuals that have lived for over 21 years.

• Length: 24-25 cm.
• Wingspan: 34-39 cm.
• Plumage: males and females have different plumage. The male is totally black with yellow eye-ring. Its bill is orange-yellow. Its legs are brown. The female has an uneven dark brown/grey colouring, its throat is lighter and streaked, and its bill is yellow-light brown. Common blackbirds have a long tail and at times, just as they alight, they move it up and down jerkily.
• Weight: Approx. 80-140 g.

It feeds on berries, insects and worms.

The female builds the nest in shrubs or on tree branches. She lays 4-6 blue-grey eggs speckled with grey dots in two successive clutches that she broods for 14-15 days.

It is one of the most common passerine birds in Europe. It is migratory in cold zones, in Italy, in the city (including Milan) and is a resident and nest-building species.

We often here it sing or launch its alarm signals in the city parks, also at dusk. Its song is heard mostly from February to May.