 The adult male with its all-black plumage, makes it very distinctive whereas the females are brown with a whitish throat, often with spots and dark stripes on their breasts. The males also have a bright orange-yellow beak and ring round the eyes.
Its beautiful mellow song is often heard between March and July. Sings from a perch or rooftop. Often feeds close to cover and can often be seen turning over leaves in the garden.
| Size |
24 - 25cm |
| Weight |
80 - 125gm |
| Habitat |
Primarily a woodland bird that also lives in gardens, parks or hedgerows. |
| Nesting |
Built in a small tree or bush, cup-shaped made of grass, twigs and straw, lined with mud and fine grasses. |
| Incubation |
12-14 days; fledging - 14 days |
| Feeding |
Insects, worms and berries. Earthworms tend to be a favourite when the soil is damp. |
| Voice |
"Chink chink", a mellow fluty song |
| Breeding pairs |
4.7 million. Population decline since 1972 possibly due to agricultural practices. Now appears to have levelled off. |
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