top of page
Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Turdus merula
Eurasian blackbird (male). Greek: κότσυφας (αρσενικός). Gadouras reservoir, April 2022.
Resident, sparsely distributed. Length 23-28 cm, wingspan 34-38 cm. Male glossy black with orange-yellow bill and yellow eye ring, female mottled brown with yellowish brown bill. Deciduous forests, open areas with scattered trees and bushes, rocky slopes with shrubs. Feeds on worms, insects, berries, seeds. Builds elaborate mud-and-grass nest in trees, bushes, two-three broods per season. Territorial behaviour of both sexes when breeding. Very wary, keeps distance from humans. Flies low over ground always close to foliage cover. Complex repertoire of alarm and threatening calls. Very distinctive melodious song with rich liquid warbles.
bottom of page