Common Blackbird vs Rufous-bellied Thrush

Turdus merula compared with Turdus rufiventris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Common Blackbird Rufous-bellied Thrush
Scientific Name Turdus merula Turdus rufiventris
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) 23.1 cm (9.1 in)
Weight 100.0 g (3.53 oz) 71.66666666666667 g (2.53 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 — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
Common Blackbird 25.0 cm
Rufous-bellied Thrush —
Wingspan
Common Blackbird 36.0 cm
Rufous-bellied Thrush 23.1 cm
Weight
Common Blackbird 100.0 g
Rufous-bellied Thrush 71.66666666666667 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Common Blackbird only

Rufous-bellied 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.

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Geographic Range & Migration

Common Blackbird

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

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Common Blackbird

Least Concern

Rufous-bellied 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

Rufous-bellied 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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