Common Blackbird vs White-headed Island Thrush

Turdus merula compared with Turdus pritzbueri

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Common Blackbird White-headed Island Thrush
Scientific Name Turdus merula Turdus pritzbueri
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Turdidae Turdidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
Wingspan 36.0 cm (14.2 in)
Weight 100.0 g (3.53 oz)
Diet Earthworms, insects, berries, and fruit. Forages on the ground, turning over leaf litter. Famously pulls … --
Clutch Size 3-5 1-3
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
White-headed Island Thrush
Wingspan
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
White-headed Island Thrush
Weight
Common Blackbird 100.0 g
White-headed Island Thrush

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Common Blackbird only

White-headed Island 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.

White-headed Island Thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Common Blackbird

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

White-headed Island Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

Not Evaluated

White-headed Island 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

White-headed Island 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.

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