Common Blackbird vs White-backed Thrush

Turdus merula compared with Turdus kessleri

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Common Blackbird White-backed Thrush
Scientific Name Turdus merula Turdus kessleri
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) 29.9 cm (11.8 in)
Weight 100.0 g (3.53 oz) 76.3 g (2.69 oz)
Diet Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … --
Clutch Size 3-5 3-4
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
White-backed Thrush
Wingspan
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
White-backed Thrush 29.9 cm
Weight
Common Blackbird 100.0 g
White-backed Thrush 76.3 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Common Blackbird only

White-backed Thrush only

None

Common Blackbird

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

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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.

White-backed Thrush

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Geographic Range & Migration

Common Blackbird

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

White-backed Thrush

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

Least Concern

White-backed Thrush

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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

White-backed Thrush

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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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Related Comparisons

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