Blackbird

Blackbirds are in full song at the moment it being the height of their nesting season.  I even saw a pair carrying food into a low-lying shrub this week, which would suggest they were feeding young.

The male is certainly the poseur of street corners and highways as he shows off his black dress, flicking his tail and wings for all to see.  His glossy, black plumage is complemented by a bright orange bill and yellow eye-ring

Easily overlooked, though, is the female blackbird - or should it be brownbird - as she is inconspicuous with her drab brown plumage, black bill and mottled underparts.  She always lives in the shadow of the male never exhibiting his extrovert behaviour.

The male's song is a delight to listen to, which is loud, fluted and fluent. In musical terms he would never be a tenor but more a contralto.  He often sings from roof tops, chimney pots (if you have got one), television aerials and the more traditional tree tops. The call is a loud chook-chook-chook, or chink-chink-chink, often going berserk when there is a predator close by to the nest. In particular those cruisers of gardens and pathways our feline friends - cats.

The nest site is mainly in a hedge or shrub, but they can choose the most unlikely places at times - garden sheds, garages and ivy growing outside the front door.  Old, abandoned cars have been used.  Also new ones if the owner has left it on the drive whilst they have been away on a two week holiday abroad only to come back and find a female blackbird sitting on a nest in the engine compartment!

Though common, blackbirds add colour and interest to our orderly lives.  Keep a look out for them, they are magnificent to watch.