Birds · blackbird
Discover the blackbird
A fluting melody reveals a singer in the branches. Flauschi spots the blackbird. Puschel watches it search for food on the ground.
The short answer
Adult male blackbirds are usually black with yellow-to-orange bills. Females are generally brown. Blackbirds often search for food on the ground. Colour alone cannot identify every blackbird.
Listen to the animal
Real sounds from nature
Listen to the blackbird
A real nature recording of this bird’s song or call.
Recording: Anton · Original title: Amselrp.ogg · CC BY-SA 2.5 · MP3 conversion of the original recordingAn imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Puschel first hears a flute-like melody. Flauschi spots the black singer on a branch. When the blackbird hops to the ground, they watch quietly.
Puschel looks at the patch of leaves where the bird searches for food. Puschel“A singer and a ground-searcher in one!” Flauschi nods. The black bird is an adult male; young blackbirds initially look brown and spotted. They walk quietly on before Puschel starts a tune himself.
Real animal facts
Four things to know
Black male
Adult male blackbirds are black; females are brown. Young blackbirds initially have brown, spotted plumage.
Yellow beak
Adult males usually have a yellow to orange-yellow bill. Young males initially have a dark bill.
Singing bird
Blackbirds sing varied, flute-like phrases.
Searching on the ground
They search the ground for worms, insects and fruit.
Mini quiz
What do you remember?
1. Which feature fits an adult male blackbird?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)Black male
- b)Brown, spotted male
- c)Green male with a black head
Show answer
Correct answer: a): Black male Black male
2. A young blackbird is brown and spotted. Does that contradict the black adult male?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)Yes, all blackbirds are always black
- b)No, juveniles have different plumage
- c)Yes, colour alone means a different species
Show answer
Correct answer: b): No, juveniles have different plumage No, juveniles have different plumage
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
One species has several appearances
Adult males are mostly black, females brown and young initially brown-spotted. Brown does not exclude a blackbird.
Food is sought
Worms, other small animals and fruits can provide food. Suitable foraging places matter as well as perches.
Song communicates
Birds are not performing for our audience. Listen quietly to recordings without playing them outdoors to lure birds.