Common Blackbird vs African Thrush
Turdus merula compared with Turdus pelios
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Blackbird | African Thrush |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Turdus merula | Turdus pelios |
| 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) | 22.1 cm (8.7 in) |
| Weight | 100.0 g (3.53 oz) | 60.5 g (2.13 oz) |
| Diet | Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Common Blackbird
Woodland, hedgerows, gardens, and parks. One of the most common garden birds across Europe.
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.
African Thrush
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Blackbird
Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand. Northern populations are migratory.
African Thrush
Conservation Status
Common Blackbird
African Thrush
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
African 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.
African Thrush
The African Thrush is a widespread, medium-sized thrush weighing about 60 g with a wingspan near 22 cm. It inhabits forests, gardens, and wooded areas across sub-Saharan Africa, foraging on the ground for earthworms, fruits, and insects while delivering a rich, melodious song.