Common Blackbird vs Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Turdus merula compared with Bubo bubo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Blackbird | Eurasian Eagle-Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Turdus merula | Bubo bubo |
| Order | Passeriformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Turdidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 68.0 cm (26.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | 170.0 cm (66.9 in) |
| Weight | 100.0 g (3.53 oz) | 2800.0 g (98.77 oz) |
| Diet | Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … | Mammals up to the size of hares and young foxes, and birds up to the … |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Blackbird
Woodland, hedgerows, gardens, and parks. One of the most common garden birds across Europe.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Rocky landscapes, cliffs, gorges, and open forest across Eurasia. Increasingly found near human settlements.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Blackbird
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.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Powerful, resonant 'ooo-hu' duetting with mate across great distances at dusk. One of Europe's deepest owl calls. Also gives barking screams, hisses, and grunts at the nest.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Blackbird
Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Northern populations are migratory.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Widespread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The most widely distributed eagle-owl.
Conservation Status
Common Blackbird
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Blackbird
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.
Bright yellow-orange bill in males, dull brownish in females
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Tawny-brown plumage heavily mottled and streaked with black. Large prominent orange eyes and long ear tufts. Streaked breast and barred belly.
Powerful, dark grey-black hooked bill
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.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the largest owl species in the world, with females sometimes reaching a wingspan of nearly two meters. Its deep booming call can be heard up to four kilometers away on calm nights. These apex predators sit at the top of the avian food chain, preying on other raptors including buzzards and smaller owls.