Common Blackbird vs Chinese Blackbird

Turdus merula compared with Turdus mandarinus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Common Blackbird Chinese Blackbird
Scientific Name Turdus merula Turdus mandarinus
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) 29.3 cm (11.5 in)
Weight 100.0 g (3.53 oz) 116.5 g (4.11 oz)
Diet Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … --
Clutch Size 3-5 2-6
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
Chinese Blackbird
Wingspan
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
Chinese Blackbird 29.3 cm
Weight
Common Blackbird 100.0 g
Chinese Blackbird 116.5 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Common Blackbird only

Chinese Blackbird 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.

Chinese Blackbird

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Geographic Range & Migration

Common Blackbird

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

Chinese Blackbird

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

Least Concern

Chinese Blackbird

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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

Chinese Blackbird

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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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