Common Blackbird vs Abyssinian Ground-thrush

Turdus merula compared with Geokichla piaggiae

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Common Blackbird Abyssinian Ground-thrush
Scientific Name Turdus merula Geokichla piaggiae
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
Wingspan 36.0 cm (14.2 in) 20.6 cm (8.1 in)
Weight 100.0 g (3.53 oz) 54.0 g (1.90 oz)
Diet Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … --
Clutch Size 3-5 2
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
Abyssinian Ground-thrush
Wingspan
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
Abyssinian Ground-thrush 20.6 cm
Weight
Common Blackbird 100.0 g
Abyssinian Ground-thrush 54.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Common Blackbird only

Abyssinian Ground-thrush only

None

Common Blackbird

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

Song & Call Comparison

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.

Abyssinian Ground-thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Common Blackbird

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

Abyssinian Ground-thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

Least Concern

Abyssinian Ground-thrush

How to Tell Them Apart

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

Abyssinian Ground-thrush

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.

Abyssinian Ground-thrush

The Abyssinian Ground-thrush is a medium-sized thrush weighing around 54g found in highland forests of East Africa. It forages on the forest floor for invertebrates and fallen fruit.

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