At the blackbird’s nest

Blackbirds often live near people, so we can observe them easily. Have you ever noticed any differences between them?

Some blackbirds have yellow beaks and black feathers. These are the males. Because of their black colour, these birds are often called "black thrushes".

Others, however, have dark beaks and grayish to brownish plumage. Their legs also look darker. These are female blackbirds.

Blackbirds look for a spot among the dense foliage of hedges or bushes to build their nests. This makes them hard to spot. The nests are made of twigs, leaves, moss and roots. The inside is lined with clay, damp soil and fine plant material. The nests will soon provide a safe place for the chicks too. They are well protected here from rain, strong winds and other animals.

Just a few days after the nest is finished, it already contains 4 to 5 eggs. They are pale blue with black speckles. Now the blackbirds begin to incubate them.  After about two weeks, the young birds hatch. Their bodies are covered only in a thin layer of down, and their eyes are still closed. They keep each other a little warm, but otherwise they depend entirely on their parents. Their parents have to keep the young blackbirds warm and protect them. Above all, they now have to work hard to bring food. As soon as their parents are nearby, the young ones open their beaks wide.

Even when blackbirds find a good hiding place, their eggs and chicks in the nests are at risk from predators. Magpies, squirrels, martens, rats and cats all hunt them.

Blackbirds are known as “omnivores.” They eat earthworms, beetles, snails, centipedes, and spiders. They feed these to their young, too. Blackbirds also like berries, fruit, and seeds. Sometimes they even look for food in the trash. They like to stay close to houses and homes. You may sometimes find broken snail shells in the garden. Blackbirds are responsible for them. They repeatedly bash the shells against a stone until they break, then pull out the snails. Such a stone is called a “blackbird anvil.” Blackbirds love to bathe often. Afterwards, they lie on the ground, spread their wings, fan out their tails, and dry in the sun. You can help blackbirds and other birds by putting a birdbath in your garden. The birds aren’t very fussy, by the way. They have no problem drinking water that they or other birds have bathed in.

About two weeks after hatching, the young birds are almost fully grown. Now they leave the nest. Their bodies are covered in feathers, but their beaks have not yet fully grown. Once they have left the nest, they hop around or hide in sheltered spots. At this stage, they are especially vulnerable to predators. Their parents continue to feed them on the ground. If a predator approaches, the blackbird parents try to distract it. The young birds still need to learn to fly and find food for themselves. Their parents show them how. About 18 days after hatching, young blackbirds can fend for themselves. Their parents usually raise another brood in the same year. The nest is already built and can be used again. The young blackbirds, however, will not build their own nests and have chicks until the following year.