Rufous-brown Solitaire vs Common Blackbird

Cichlopsis leucogenys compared with Turdus merula

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rufous-brown Solitaire Common Blackbird
Scientific Name Cichlopsis leucogenys Turdus merula
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Endangered Least Concern
Length 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
Wingspan 21.1 cm (8.3 in) 36.0 cm (14.2 in)
Weight 53.0 g (1.87 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 3-5
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Rufous-brown Solitaire
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
Wingspan
Rufous-brown Solitaire 21.1 cm
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
Weight
Rufous-brown Solitaire 53.0 g
Common Blackbird 100.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Rufous-brown Solitaire only

None

Common Blackbird only

Common Blackbird

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

Song & Call Comparison

Rufous-brown Solitaire

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

Rufous-brown Solitaire

Common Blackbird

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

Conservation Status

Endangered

Rufous-brown Solitaire

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

How to Tell Them Apart

Rufous-brown Solitaire

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.

Related Comparisons

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family