Sclater's Nightingale-thrush vs Common Blackbird

Catharus maculatus compared with Turdus merula

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sclater's Nightingale-thrush Common Blackbird
Scientific Name Catharus maculatus Turdus merula
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
Wingspan 18.3 cm (7.2 in) 36.0 cm (14.2 in)
Weight 37.8 g (1.33 oz) 100.0 g (3.53 oz)
Diet -- Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls …
Clutch Size -- 3-5
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush —
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
Wingspan
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush 18.3 cm
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
Weight
Sclater's Nightingale-thrush 37.8 g
Common Blackbird 100.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush only

Common Blackbird only

Common Blackbird

Woodland, hedgerows, gardens, and parks. One of the most common garden birds across Europe.

Song & Call Comparison

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Common Blackbird

Song

Arguably Britain's finest songster: rich, flute-like phrases with deep, mellow quality. Sings persistently at dusk. Alarm is a sharp 'chook-chook'. Song includes liquid 'pew' notes.

Geographic Range & Migration

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Common Blackbird

Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Northern populations are migratory.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

How to Tell Them Apart

Sclater's Nightingale-thrush

Common Blackbird

Plumage

Males are jet black with a bright yellow-orange bill and eye-ring. Females are dark brown with mottled underparts and a dull yellowish bill.

Bill

Bright yellow-orange bill in males, dull brownish in females

About These Birds

Common Blackbird

The common blackbird is one of Europe's most familiar and best-loved songbirds, celebrated for its rich, fluting song delivered from rooftop and treetop perches at dawn and dusk. Originally a shy woodland bird, it has colonized urban environments over the past two centuries and become one of the most successful urban adapters.

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