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Eurasian Blackbird
Turdus merula
Silhouette: Anthony Caravaggi · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyTurdidae (Thrushes)
- GenusTurdus (Typical Thrushes)
- SpeciesTurdus merula (Eurasian Blackbird)
In 3 days >90%
353 Verified sightings at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park From 2019 to 2026
33,115 In all 44 parks
August Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Eurasian Blackbird
The common blackbird (Turdus merula) is a species of true thrush. It is also known as the Eurasian blackbird (especially in North America, to distinguish it from the unrelated New World blackbirds), or simply the blackbird. It breeds in Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It has a number of subspecies across its large range; a few former Asian subspecies are now widely treated as separate species. Depending on latitude, the common blackbird may be resident, partially migratory, or fully migratory.
The adult male of the common blackbird (Turdus merula merula, the nominate subspecies), which is found throughout most of Europe, is all black except for a yellow eye-ring and bill and has a rich, melodious song. The adult female and juvenile have mainly dark brown plumage. This species breeds in woods and gardens, constructing neat, cup-shaped nests bound together with mud. It is omnivorous, eating a wide range of insects, earthworms, berries, and fruits.
Both sexes are territorial on the breeding grounds and have distinctive threat displays. However, they are more gregarious during migration and in wintering areas. Pairs remain in their territory throughout the year if the climate is sufficiently temperate. This common and conspicuous species has given rise to a number of literary and cultural references, often related to its song. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Eurasian Blackbird in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
Zoos & Centres Where Found
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moscow Zoo | 🇷🇺 Russia | |
| 2 | Barcelona Zoo | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 3 | Philadelphia Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Aquarama Barcelona | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 5 | Willowbank Wildlife Reserve | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Closest Relatives at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Eurasian Blackbird in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park?
Very likely
About 90% of wildlife watchers report a Eurasian Blackbird sighting in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on a given day, based on 353 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 2nd most-seen of the 36 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Eurasian Blackbird in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park?
August and December
In those months over 90% of wildlife watchers report a Eurasian Blackbird in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on a given day, against about 60% in June, the lowest month.
What time of day is best to see a Eurasian Blackbird?
Between 8 and 11 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Eurasian Blackbird sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Aoraki Mount Cook National Park the best place to see a Eurasian Blackbird?
Yes
Of the 44 parks where we can rate Eurasian Blackbird sightings, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park has the highest daily chance: about 90%. Next come Egmont National Park (New Zealand, about 80%) and Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia, about 80%). All parks ranked.
Where does the Eurasian Blackbird sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Eurasian Blackbird is recorded against all the birds logged in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (353 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
