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Birds

Birds

Common name Common blackbird
Scientific name Turdus merula
Type Shrubland birds
Status Resident

Medium-sized bird (about 25 cm or 10 in) with pitch black plumage, orange bill and eye-ring of the same colour. The female is dark brown and her bill is dark yellow or brown. Agile and direct flight, at low altitude, normally among bushes. Very terrestrial habits. On the ground, it gets around by jumping and usually raises its tail.

Habitats

Woodland environment and scrubland

Where it lives

Generalist species that occupies many different habitats. Present especially in areas with forest cover and scrub, agricultural mosaics, olive groves, crops that are not very arid, park and gardens, thickets, orchards and wetlands.

How it lives

Bird resident in Malaga all year round. The breeding starts at the beginning of March. It makes between two and three annual layings of 3 to 5 eggs. Nest in trees, hedges and shrubs. This bird feeds on earthworms, snails and insects. In autumn it also consumes berries and fruits.

Where it can be seen in Malaga

Common and frequent species throughout the Great Path.

Curious facts

"Mirlas", as these birds are known in Malaga, are the ones that begin to sing earlier, usually before the sun comes up. Especially in spring and summer they are the alarm clocks of a good part of the inhabitants of villages and rural areas of Malaga. When they fly and are scared, frightened by some risky situation, they usually emit a sound that seems a very characteristic cackle.

Routes where it can be observed
Present
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Wintering Summer Resident Migration
Audios